Blue Mountain has staying power
Justin Showah
If you're looking for the dark horse of rock 'n' roll
resurgence in America, stop. Blue Mountain releases their third album,
"Tales of a Traveler," today, and it is loud, living proof that whatever
Americana or alt-country labels the critics have stuck on this Oxford band
just won't do. It sums up the truth -that Blue Mountain is a rock 'n' roll
monster roaring with just the right amount of feedback, driving drums,
creative hooks and a hoedown state of mind.
Some bands never really capture the dynamics of their
sound on record, but Blue Mountain has done just that with "Tales of a
Traveler." It rings true as an album that is representative of everything
the band can do, from dirges breathing with country characters to roadworn
rockers.
The opening track opens, "When You're Not Mine," features
Laurie Stiratt on vocals. Though this song is slower than most of the others,
it hits straight on with lyrics that anyone can relate to and music that
settles into a comfortable groove.
"Poppa" recounts the lives of two different grandfathers
with tragic phrases like, "Poppa went to Memphis and he didn't come home.
Poppa never knew when to stop." Cary Hudson's complex guitar doubling gives
this song an addictive melody that rocks and sways.
Perhaps the most power, music-wise, mounts in "Sleepin'
in My Shoes," a tune that traces the load-in, load-out life of a touring
musician and culminates with a rowdy jam featuring the horn work of guest
musician Jim Spake. The rhythm section of bassist George Sheldon and Frank
Coutch do what they do best on this track. You've gotta move to it.
"One That Got Away" leaves the drums at home, featuring
Cary Hudson at his finest, vocally and instrumentally. The lyrics hit home
from the get-go with "Now I understand what the old man used to say. None
so rare will ever compare to the one that got away."
"Room 829" has a pulsing beat and is reminiscent of the
"Dog Days" album while "My Wicked, Wicked Ways" employs the drum and conga
talents of guest Don Heffington and the heavily produced sound of Teatro
Studios in California for a song that is an experiment of sorts for the
band.
With "Just Passing Through," the album closer, one might
find similarities with some of the Rolling Stones loose jam session recordings.
It's a hoedown featuring local trombonist Jeff Callaway, former Sincere
Rambler Caroline Herring on vocals and the Oxford 17, a rambunctious crew
of locals, on handclaps. Rock n' roll producer, songwriter and former Georgia
Satellites fronter Dan Baird adds guitar flair to three songs and helps
co-produce the album.
"Tales of a Traveler" is a must-have for Blue Mountain
fans and a solid introduction to the group for those who are unfamiliar
with its music. From the sound of things, Blue Mountain is heading away
from alternative country and towards a sound that comes naturally to them.
They're headed towards rock 'n roll, and I predict they'll be bringing
a lot of new fans with them. It's rock the way it was meant to be, with
obvious blues, country, folk, bluegrass, punk and rock influences.
But Blue Mountain makes it their own. That's why 20 years
from now, one of us will play this album for our son or daughter. We'll
smile and say they just don't make them like this anymore.
But we're lucky, 'cause right now, they do. So support
local music. Support rock 'n' roll. It's sneaking up behind you whether
you know it or not.
