Tylor and the Train Robbers are a family band that has toured relentlessly and been their own producers over two previous studio albums. Then, faster than you can say “pandemicâ€, things changed. Suddenly they were off the road and had a chance rethink their approach in their native Boise, Idaho. First hey jumped head first into Patreon to help them connect with their fans. They also started writing new songs that they readied for a new album. This is where the new approach comes into play. They decided to go with an outside producer. If you are a family band, that producer should be someone hat gets the special dynamics involved. Therefore, they turned to none other than Cody Braun from Reckless Kelly. It also helps that there is bit of Red Dirt in Tylor and the Train Robbers version of Americana that makes Braun a good fit musically. Guess what? It worked. The new album, “Non-Typical Findâ€, is the first album they have done without the luxury of testing the material on live audiences. This forced tactic worked and they hit the nail on the head.
Tylor and the Train Robbers are Tylor Ketchum on Vocals and Guitar, his brother Jason Bushman on Bass and vocals, brother Tommy Bushman on drums and 3rd part harmonies, Tylor’s father-in-law Johnny “shoes†Pisano is also on guitar. Tylor is the songwriter in the group. Writing lyrics free from a busy touring schedule adds reflection and depth to these words. Take for example the perspective of the opener “Equation of Life†Tylor muses “Instead of trading time you should try spending someâ€. A truth he was able to see from the stillness of home. There is a diversity of Americana influences on this album. One of my favorites is Lemonade, which has Bluegrass undertones banjo solo and all. It is an upbeat song with a bit of a sad ending but a great chorus, “It’s the same old story in another nutshell, you can try telling time, but time will only tell, throw your worries to the wintertime until wintertime is gone, then find some sweetened water for to throw your lemons onâ€. There is a lot of simple wisdom packed in those words. The title cut is a bizarre but true story about a friend finding human remains in a remote location, which authorities linked to an old open case. The song is an attempt to fill in the gaps with the story.
Tylor and the Train Robbers will be spending September opening for Reckless Kelly on the East Coast. They will be worth checking out. I hope this expands their audience, because an effort like “Non-Typical Find†deserves the attention.
About the author: Chip and his family live in Birmingham, AL. Roll Tide!