Average roots rock.
'Story Like A Scar' swoops and soars like all good traditional music, capturing the mood swings of everyday life and of the highs and lows it entails. The New Amsterdams are at pains to point out that they are not a country band and this is not a country record.
There are some moments when the banjo picks up and the backbeat shuffles away that you think that it has to be a country record but at times, there is so much going on that they probably get away with it.
It is probably as much of a country album as Neil Young's 'Harvest', which is to say not very, and only because people are too lazy to listen to a record that isn't pigeonholed.
So, now that we are happy with what this album is not, perhaps its time to find out what it is. It's the bands fifth album and it does cover a lot of the everyday troubles and humdrums that befall musicians. The sense of longing and at times, loneliness cloaks this record and flavours the output.
The lead vocals are rooted in country music and at times bear a striking resemblance to Jeff Tweedy from Wilco. Tweedy is one of the masters of the world-weary delivery and the impression from this record is that a lot of thought and soul searching went into making this record. The almost breathy vocals on 'A Small Crusade' almost cry out for support, especially over the carefully picked banjo backing.
The middle of the album is fractured by a couple of rollicking; almost blues like tracks which help shake the album out of its wistful slumber. 'Intelligent Design' is a no-brainer rock n roll bounce but it works well in lightening the tone and would probably add some strong colour to the bands live show.
The longer the album goes on, the more the pace and mood is lifted, chasing the listener through the tracks and changing the mood which started the album. It's a diverse record that does a lot but does most of it quietly and not wholly memorably.
Even after a few listens, there are not too many tracks making a lasting impression, which is a shame as it is all well played and presented but there is a complete lack of killer chorus or memorable hooks. The singalong feel of the reprise at the end of the album is sure to leave the listener on a high and optimistic note but it just seems like a missed opportunity to really make a great album.
The New Amsterdams have made a good album but haven't pushed it on any further than that.