This is a really cool release, just six tracks but so much to like in the mix or Country, Rock, Blues and Bluegrass. The only trouble you might have is finding it and as I lost my notes it took me an age to realise these guys were from the blue hills of…. Melbourne.
Kicking off with my favourite track – the Hard Rocking ‘Your Faithfully’ The Deadwood Pioneer has a clean crisp sound that lets the songs breathe. The rest of the EP is pretty cool too with the countrified ‘I’m Bleeding’ making way for the twang and cloudy ‘The Quick or the Dead’. This is a record that isn’t a million miles away from bands like Drive By Truckers who meld Rock and Country, but unlike them there’s really no real Southern rock accent.
Variety is king here though: ‘Dirty Money’ is more of a roadhouse lament struck through with hard rocking guitar, whilst ‘Double-crossed’ come across dirtier and grittier and distinctly outsider vibe. That just leaves closer ‘Out Cold’ to break out the banjo and drive it home country rock style with considerable aplomb.
I wish I knew more, I just know I like what I hear…