Post by jptheprofessor on Feb 18, 2008 16:47:04 GMT -5
THE RUSTLANDERS – THE RUSTLANDERS (no label) The self-titled debut CD from State College's The Rustlanders offers a crisp and fresh blend of Americana sounds, smoothly fusing together elements of country, rock, folk and blues. Singer/guitarist Jason McIntyre, guitarist Jason “Junior” Tutwiler, bassist/singer Corry Drake and drummer/singer Chris Rattie present a sound that recalls the classic rural-flavored rock of The Band, Bob Seger, Tom Petty and Neil Young. The flavors vary from country twang to spiritual, blues and heartland-flavored rock, with the instrumental tapestries setting the backdrops for the group’s tales of loners, hard times, salvation and hope. The arrangements surround and paint each song, with guests John Rattie and the Rev. James Horton on keys, Doc Mudgett on pedal steel, Cory Neidig on banjo and backing singers Kate Twoey and Natalie Berrena giving the sound depth and color. The album opener “Holdin’ Out” could pass for a long-lost outtake from The Band’s early albums with its gospel-flavored keyboard underscore and spirited, Big Easy-like vibe. Other songs blend the group’s palate of musical colors to varying degrees, with “Beginning to Show Through” showing a punchy, straight-ahead country flavor, while “Blind Faith” leans towards a harder, Tom Petty-like rural rock direction. “La Conchita,” “Border Town” and “Two Long Years” lean towards the sullen, country-folk storytelling style of After the Gold Rush/Harvest-era Neil Young. “Route 251” suggests a fusion of The Band and the Wallflowers; while the album finisher “My Rock N Roll” taps a surging, bluesy style reminiscent of the Black Crowes. The instrumental execution is strong overall, underscoring hearty vocal performances that sell the rustic imagery of the lyrics. The production by the Rustlanders and Andrew Morse allows the varying instrumental arrangements to give each song its own life and personality; yet ties it all together smoothly into a cohesive, unified set. The Rustlanders is a strong debut that gives a definitive introduction to this band’s rural-flavored musical frontier. (The CD can be obtained through the group’s website, www.myspace.com/rustlanders.