Operating outta Lancaster, Pennyslvania, American Fallout are a new and discerningly eclectic label who deal in everything from blasted folk to ragged midwest punk, hepped-up bluegrass to swampy psychedelia and melodic roots-rock to radio-friendly power pop and refreshingly also embrace a new breed of artists who - back in the day - would no doubt have been referred to as 'protest singers'.
Indeed, while it may not be fashionable to be outspoken in this materialistic world, this reviewer's personally delighted to be clapping ears on artists such as JEFFERSON PEPPER, HAWK and YIKES McGEE who are clearly repulsed by the savagery and criminality of the Bush administration and write about it with wit, cynicism and accuracy while also remembering to align the thinking with great tunes.
Chicago-based Hawk open this excellent compilation with the incendiary "What's Goin' Down": loud, proud stuff with plenty to say ("there's bad shit goin' down, greed's gone out of control") and traces of the great midwestern Uncle Tupelo/ Replacements lineage. Yikes McGee's "Hello Mama" is a magnificent, tragicomic acoustic sketch written from the point of view of Osama Bin Laden in an open letter to his Mom ("They've allied with lackeys, attacking Iraqis while I run the terrorist war") and makes it clear McGee is from the Woody Guthrie/ Townes Van Zandt/ Phil Ochs school of social observation. Both of these are tremendous, but arguably Jefferson Pepper's "Christmas In Fallujah" is the very best thing here. Brilliantly observed AND rockin' too, this is both heartbreaking and stirring stuff (sample lyric : "we bring the gift of freedom through unprovoked attack") from a guy who Steve Earle would surely love.
Although less obviously politically-motivated, the rest of the album remains a heady and engaging listen, providing us with tracks from a slew of diverse, but talented outfits: many of whom deserve wider recognition. Tucson's SUPERSUCKERS are the one band here I was previously aware of, and their "Can Pipe" (an unlikely ode to makeshift bongs) is a supercharged two-minute hot-rod buzz-punk ride and a million miles away from the Tucson heroes (Giant Sand, Green On Red, Sidewinders) I already know well. BLUE DIAMOND SHINE, meanwhile, are a smart Gulf Coast-based outfit led by one John G.Stark, and their "Karankawa Daughters" is tough, swampy and efficient and a great update of Creedence Clearwater's potent sound. At yet another tangent, Santa Barbara's DEADBILLYS weigh in with "Bloody Mary Morning". Apart from being cool enough to have already released records on a label called Sumbitch, The 'Billys here approach us with a deathly pallor, sunglasses at dawn and come across like Nick Cave fronting an opiated Walkabouts. And, yes, that is indeed a good thing.
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Indeed, even when American Fallout make the odd concession to more radio-friendly pop sounds, they still do it with aplomb. To this end, we get bands like JENKINS HOLLOW, whose runaway story "She Left Home" is a tasty, hooky roots-rock affair with great, desciptive vocals from leader Rose Manfre. WAYNE SUPERGENIUS, meanwhile, may have a stupid name, but their "Made Alive In You" again demonstrates that the States remains a seemingly bottomless well of great power pop talent to be divined apparently at will.
And let's not forget the local Pennyslvania talent on parade, either. Aside from Jefferson Pepper, "American Fallout" also makes room for the likes of ALTERCANA and SLIMFIT who should be staking nationwide claims if there's any justice. Altercana are especially impressive, and their "Beautiful Girls" is big, charismatic pop with elements of bands such as Big Star and Nadine, while Slimfit's "Long To Be Back Home" is from their live debut album and is a smart, mandolin-led slice of folksy pop which wraps the album up in style.
There's much more of course, but really you ought to check this out for yourself as the deadwood is virtually non-existent and the variety of styles ensures there's something for all discerning heads out there. American Fallout are clearly up there with the best of labels releasing great, roots-based music which takes risks and stays true to its' heart. We shall surely be hearing much more from them in the near future.
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