Road trip across America like it's 1972...
Better late than never, I suppose. This 2009 release from the Washington state natives has a seductive, laid-back attitude perfect for summer.
Combining the best of Americana and Southern Rock with heavy dashes of Nashville country, it's also stacked full of cliches of all those genres (Phoenix). Yet somehow it manages to evoke a chilled out 70s festival vibe, chanelling the spirits of John Fogerty and Neil Young into a decades-spanning storybook of young heartbreak. There are plenty of heavier rocking moments (Other Side of the Water; Cold Blues) which should make it onto any driving songs compilation, the illusion of freedom and rushing air is so tangible. The trouble is, they sound so authentic that it's almost impossible to place where they fit into today's music scenes. But the music has an irresistable combination of toe-tapping joy and total nostalgia trip it's impossible to imagine where these guys wouldn't be popular.
The secret power of these songs is in their simplicity and homeliness. They have melodies that The Eagles and the Doobie Brothers would kill for (Girl From Jersy; The Singer) such is the appeal of these countrified riffs and down-home harmonies. On full power or stripped back to its bare bones (The River) The Lonely H evoke an idealistic, evergreen view of America that seems out-of-kilter with modern life. It's pure escapism, with all the good and bad that comes with it. There's even a sense of humour in the quirkily irresistable Diggin' A Hole, and a relentless sense of optimism with the huge sound that is Strike A Chord.
Right Down To Me is essential listening. It's a timeless melody and clear-as-a-bell guitar riffage make even the use of banjo seem effortlessly cool. Singer Mark Fredson also shows off some impressive chops that could easily see him make the cut of the best new blues voices out there ( the melancholy sway of White Horse Tears). It takes some character to pull off these songs without sounding dated but The Lonely H pull it off with every string bend and driving bassline. These guys make great music. Everything else is irrelevant.