Catchy Americana and pop from former Lonesome Stranger

Randy Weeks initially came to the public’s attention as co-leader of the twangy West Coast roots-rock group Lonesome Strangers. Their 1986 debut, Lonesome Pine, was produced by Pete Anderson, and the group played local clubs and road gigs with Dwight Yoakam, Dave Alvin and others of the Los Angeles roots-rock scene. They issued a second album in 1988, separated a few years later, and regrouped in 1997 for a one-off reunion album. Weeks subsequently embarked on a solo career that retains the group’s country-rock roots, but with more expansive and quirky explorations into pop, blue-eyed soul and southern flavors.

Singing alone, Weeks can deliver the deadpan style of Lou Reed by way of Ric Ocasek, such as with the opening “I Couldn’t Make It.” The spoken passages of “Going My Way” split the jazz-inspired style of Mark Knopfler and the quirkier readings of Northwest folkie Jim Page. But half-sung isn’t Weeks’ only speed, as the remainder of the album includes melodic country rock, blue-eyed soul and even some New Orleans grooves. Having relocated from Los Angeles to Austin, TX, Weeks was able to attract Will Sexton as producer, and pick up players that include guitarist Tony Gilkyson and drummer Rick Richards, resulting in an album of rootsy pop that brings to mind Ben Vaughn’s recent work with The Desert Classic.

Weeks writes catchy songs about love, but not always love songs. Sunny dedication and intimate secrets are balanced by mistreating mates, communication breakdowns, and relationships past their expiration date. He also writes clever tunes such as the insomnious “Little Bit of Sleep,” and the dispassionately remembered assignations of “Going My Way” Weeks offer up an Americana sequel to the Nails’ “88 Lines About 44 Women.” Touches of organ, fiddle, steel and accordion augment the core guitar, bass and drums, but even with this overt country-rock lineup, Weeks’ tuneful melodies and straight rhythms winningly make this as much pop as alt.country. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com]

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