Classic-rock wonder kids find blues and country roots
Three albums into their career, the classic-rock wonder kids of Washington’s Olympic peninsula may finally be outrunning the novelty of their young years. The fealty with which their music reaches back to meaty 1970s guitar rock may still throw some for a loop, but those who’ve flattened the grooves on albums from Thin Lizzy, Free, Bad Company, and Bob Seger will appreciate this new helping of riff-rock. Those who’ve followed the band through their first two albums will find their predilection for multi-voice harmonies and Queen-like theatrics replaced here by rootiser influences that suggest The Band on vocal tunes like “The River.” Others, like “Singer” reflect the West Coast tempo and style of the Eagles, and the twangy “Girl From Jersey” recalls the Canadian one-hit wonders, The Stampeders. Vocalist Mark Fredson still sounds a bit like Savoy Brown’s Chris Youlden, but the group’s musical evolution retains the ’70s vibe of their earlier work while opening themselves to the blues and roots sides of guitar rock. The evocation of a 35-year-old musical ethos is so seamless as to suggest The Lonely H arrived in 2009 by time machine. Their expanded musical reach and guitarist Eric Whitman’s Allman-styled mustache are perfect additions to the group’s musical ethos, denim bellbottoms and post-hippie long hair. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com] 