AltCountryTab.com
Colorado band Drag the River’s new album
“Closed” is a refreshingly simple yet
expertly performed piece of alt.country that should
become a part of every collection. Formed by the
coming together Colorado punk bands ALL and Armchair
Martian, Drag the River came into fruition in
the middle of the 90’s. From that start they
have grown to the point where they have produced
what has been lauded in many quarters as one of
the best country albums for some time, an opinion
that I am more than happy to qualify.
The music is straight down the line, honest and
hard working. The theme is undoubtedly drinking…read
the titles for a taster. That however is far too
much of a simplification, this record also deals
with existing with the variety of aches and pains
that life throws us at one time or another, and
on occasion it suggests the hope of redemption.
Despite the initial darkness of the subject matter
each song is so wonderfully performed and written
that you cannot help but raise a smile, and after
a few listens it just sinks in that this is indeed
a country album in the mould of some of the greats.
There is little point taking each song apart
and retelling it, as it will only destroy the
pleasure of the experience that the listener will
gain form this record, there are ballads and there
are rockers but they all inevitably quite brilliant.
The songs are so sincere that you know these songs
have been lived out for real and the vocals are
performed with soul and feeling and absolute conviction.
Zachy Boddicker's pedal steel adds a freshness
to each song that stops them sinking into a pool
of despondency, elsewhere the band plays it straight
with no frills framing each song with just damn
fine music.
Fourteen tracks that are both ragged yet exquisite,
this is the kind of music you expect to get on
a good night out with (more than) a few beers,
or while sat on your back porch watching the sun
go down with nothing but a six pack for company.
This is the kind of music that country should
be all about and an album that should be introduced
to all those acts who have travelled the way of
the dollar and in search of glory…glory is
in producing an album that tells it is as real
as this.
Rating: Five Stars
- Doug Floyd
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