Details:
This is a sampler CD featuring three artists; Tim Barry, Ghost Buffalo and Drag the River. All three are folky countryish rock, but they’re actually all quite different.
First up is Tim Barry, who you may have heard before in his capacity as singer of punk rock stalwarts Avail. The two songs on offer here are thematically not dissimilar to some of Avail’s output, focussing on wasted lives and heartache, but instead of balls out punk rock, here we have much more introspective, melancholy semi-acoustic songs, in the style of Will Whitmore, Lucero or recentish Bruce Springsteen (Devils and Dust). If you’re a fan of gruff voiced singers, then you really can’t go wrong here.
Next up is Drag the River, which is a completely different kettle of fish. There’s four tracks in total here, from two different albums, with much more of a traditional folk / country feel. Fiddles and slide guitar are in full effect! But if your preconceptions of country are Shania Twain and Garth Brooks, then prepare to be surprised. This is the real deal, with influences ranging from the great Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson to more recent artists like the equally great Uncle Tupelo and 16 Horsepower. Sad songs drenched in Whiskey and sun.
Finally we have two tracks from Ghost Buffalo, which is a whole different story again. There’s still more than just a hint of country in here, but there’s also a much more edgy vibe going on too. There’s a female singer with a touch of the Beth Gibbons, if somewhat less wafty, and I can also hear a bit of Murder by Death. Although others may disagree with me there!
Overall, this is a really good few tracks. Ghost Buffalo took me a few listens to really get into, but the other two artists are straight out fantastic. Well worth the ABSOUTELY NOTHING you have to pay for it, if you go to the link below and download it for free!
Listen: www.suburbanhomerecords.com/freesampler
Tracklist:
1. Tim Barry – Avoiding Catatonic Surrender
2. Tim Barry – Church of Level Track
3. Drag the River – Bug Country
4. Drag the River - Disbelieve
5. Drag the River – Leavin’ in the Mornin’
6. Drag the River – Me & Joe Drove out to California…
7. Ghost Buffalo – Hell Here
8. Ghost Buffalo – Ruin Everything
