A generally laid-back effort all around
Given that 'Blood Meridian' were named after a violent piece of fiction about the historical Mid-West, 'Kick Up the Dust' is amazingly relaxed. There are some great tunes and it's got plenty of personality - singer Matthew Camirand loves to take the piss - but sometimes it seems to falter.
Musically, tones of the Beach Boys, blues and Americana all vie for attention which sometimes ends up more of a mess than anything else. It can sound totally innocent and cheerful but, as with hardcore frontman turned folk singer Frank Turner, the lyrics usually aren't and sometimes they make the album what it is. There is an undeniable laid-back feel, particularly evident on tracks like 'Work Hard, What For?', a tune that resembles something found in a fairground and definitely says 'fuck off' to the world of work in the lyrics.
As far as Camirand is concerned, being poor and happy is far better. It's on 'Let It Come Down' that things start to lose their way as Blood Meridian start to meander and over six minutes for a song is far too long for a song that circles around the same refrain. The same could be said for 'Soldiers of Christ', a song that sounds like it's stoned and it feels endless. If only there wasn't the feeling of being preached to, that sense wouldn't prevail.
Having said that, he mentions the album being 'Country and blues music by way of people who learned to play guitar from listening to Ramones records' and he's not far wrong - it mostly works.
There's chaos but order there; there's nonchalance but urgency; there's hope but despair all tied up in the same song.
'Try For You' and 'I Don't Believe' are prime examples; the tunes have simplicity and a certain upbeat quality and the makings of good folk ballads whilst Camirand's vocals sound a little hopeless and anxious. At other times, however, some songs are entirely desolate not least the bluesy Americana of 'Good Lover' - one not to listen to when you're truly depressed with its tale of rejection and relationships. It's good stuff.
For those who like their music to have depth and meaning, Blood Meridian is the band to listen to even if there are times when it stumbles. Johnny Cash it certainly ain't and 'Kick Up the Dust' isn't exactly punky or rocky but it's a fair effort and tells the story of the darker side of life - and we all need that.