This laid-back collective who revel in mid ‘60s and early ‘70s Americana have a strange and fascinating range of musical backgrounds, ranging from involvement with TVT signings The Jack Rubies to immersion in the NY new wave scene and working with Joey Ramone and members of Talking Heads. While their backgrounds may not show through on this 12-track offering, their influences are clearly to the fore.
It’s classic Americana all the way, down to the retro-looking cover art. Vocalist and guitarist SD Ineson’s Bob Dylan obsession (10 of the tracks were even recorded on Dylan’s birthday) is tempered by heavy hints of Neil Young, Van Morrison and The Band. Ingerson also wants to draw attention to his appreciation of Jack Kerouac. When it comes to the Beats, I’m more of a fan of Burroughs and find Kerouac self-indulgent, disorganised and turgid. Thankfully, Ineson is more interested in Kerouac’s positivity, and as such the songs, which possess self-explanatory titles like ‘Come on Down,’ ‘Warm Soul Sunshine’ and ‘Rover of Love’ are concise, upbeat and gently melodic rather than sprawling and aimless.
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While I suspect that this kind of music makes more sense if one has at least experienced the America that isn’t so much a backdrop to these songs as the fabric from which they’re made, you have to give it to these guys for producing a record that’s unquestionably heartfelt and authentic. Actually, you also have to give these guys credit for producing a record: yes, in addition to the CD, there’s also a vinyl edition. And for that alone, they get my vote.
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