Third album by Ireland's The Lost Brothers. Following their last record the 1950s inflected 'So Long John Fante' which the boys recorded with Richard Hawley's band, they return with an album that's similarly steeped in nostalgia, but this time for early twentieth century rural Americana. It was produced by Raconteur and solo artist Brendan Benson, who's also releasing it on his Readymade Records label in the U.S.
Following a short tour in Ireland where The Lost Brothers were Benson's live support he invited them to record at his studio in Nashville, Tennessee. Inevitably there's a real country twang to the majority of the songs. The arrangements are simple; mainly guitar and ukelele, the occasional violin, simple percussion (if any) and their close vocal harmonies. A couple of the tracks feature Ryan Adam's backing band, The Cardinals. The music's a mixture of country, Appalachian folk, pop, and the good-time '50s rock and roll.
As you might suspect from the name of the album there's a real feeling that his is a night-time album whether it be the lonely laments of sad prison inmates or the late night jumping gin-joint swing of 'Hey Miss Fannie'.
Standout tracks are prison heartbreak song 'Not Now Warden', the breezy 'Tumbling Line' that comes complete with whistled melody (there's not enough whistling in songs these days is there!?) and the lovely 'Blinding Glow' where their voices sound like Simon & Garfunkel. 'Widowmaker' and 'Blue Moon in September' also contain some of the best uses of a theremin since Mercury Rev's Deserter Songs, and to similar sadly nostalgic effect.
It's a short but enjoyable album rich with memorable songs, beautifully crafted in a classic American way. Not bad for a couple of Irish lads.
Afraid there's no links yet... you'll just have to check it out when the albums out on September 25th...
No comments:
Post a Comment