I don’t know why some good records that come out are talked about more than others, but there is usually some media heat around “Americana” releases that far outweighs their sales potential.
More often than not it’s a case of more column inches than sales. Again I’m not sure why this is… Maybe it is considered “worthy” music by critics. And sometimes it’s a bit of hyperbole, and sometimes there are hidden gems out there people. Whatever, I haven’t seen much about the new record by Hiss Golden Messenger Lateness of Dancers
Which is a real shame as it’s a pretty good record.
It’s as understated as anyone who’s heard him would expect, but still a big move from his first three home recording type records. Fuller and more complete musically. And a great mix of country, soul, blues, gospel and quality singer songwriting.
I don’t know what it is about guys from hardcore bands that go country but the things seem to go together really well. Like country allows them an equal amount of honesty.
Apart from being well worth 42 minutes of your time, this record is also something of a throwback to the 70s school of Dylan and the Band and none the worse for it. Straight away you feel like you are somewhere soaked in a little known 70s album you alone know about.
The only disappointment being that it doesn’t feature the great single from earlier this year “Brother, Do You Know The Road?
Which, with its Forever Young feel, seems like a blueprint for the whole album.
The perfect soundtrack to a Coen Brothers film they haven’t made yet.
File Lateness of Dancers under outside additions to albums of 2014.
-TH
