While many buzzed-about-blog-bands are typically the laptop-toting, electronic, shoe-gazers, or the hipper-than-thou indie act that may or may not have hints of The Band in their sound, the occasional rootsy, folk driven band eeks through and creates a stir. The Avett Brothers (who were at Ramseur Records before going with Rick Rubin for their upcoming album) and Felice Brothers come to mind as recent examples of such acts. Well, I would love to add Bombadil to the mix. The upcoming offering from North Carolina’s Bombadil, Tarpits & Canyonlands (Ramseur Records), is a thoroughly enjoyable, whimsical effort from beginning to end.
The band’s Myspace page makes the claim that their sound contains “straightforward rock to Bolivian waltzes; from heartbreaking, piano-driven laments on loss of life to swashbuckling, raucous marches“. Yes. The vocals throughout the disc often remind me of Langhorne Slim, another guy who knows how to mix a little soul with his folk. While the instrumentation isnt sparse on Tarpits by any means, the production is bare enough to really give the disc a clean finish that never quite feels raw, but crisp. I cant help but feel these guys are prime candidates to become quite the hit on the festival circuit, specifically up and down the east coast.
“Honeymoon” and “Matthew” both contain excellent vocal performances for different reasons. “Honeymoon” builds considerable pace and momentum musically, but the vocals stay level and never veer into the dramatic, letting the arrangement do the heavy lifting. Conversely, “Matthew” showcases raw, rowdy and, at times, screamed vocals that contrast starkly, but effectively over the pretty and melodic piano. Most of the tracks on this album share these traits and give then entire album a cohesive and imminently listenable quality.
About the author: I likes me some wine, women and waffles, not always in that order (but usually). Chaucer is cool, but fart jokes are even better. You feel like spikin' your country with a little soul or mix in a little rock without the roll? Lemme hear from ya!!