Jubilantly soaked in the well-worn leather of roots rock regalia: whistling organs, highway rhythms and the occasional trio of gospel backup singers. Few songwriters make the beautiful drudgery of this American life such a rousing affair.

12 MP3 Songs in this album (50:48) !
Related styles: ROCK: Rock & Roll, ROCK: Americana

People who are interested in Matthew Sweet Son Volt Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers should consider this download.


Details:
Yearning runs like an electric current through Joe Armstrongâs second album, Silverface Champs. Songs like âNothing Left to Sayâ and âFreeâ cast hopeful shadows on grim situations â love thatâs grown tired, innocence thatâs been lost â through the eyes of someone who above all wants to believe thereâs a light at the end of the tunnel. But if the Chicago nativeâs lyrics lean toward melancholia, his songs are jubilantly soaked in the well-worn leather of roots rock regalia: whistling organs, jangly Jayhawksy guitars, highway rhythms and the occasional trio of gospel backup singers. Armstrongâs band, led by understated guitar slinger Tyler Macy, packs âTry to See It My Wayâ and âAnything for Youâ with bouncy twang and saloon-style stomp, taking a few cues from Exile-era Stones and early Wilco. As producer, Armstrong takes the albumâs rustic romp into Tom Petty territory, layering it with rich arrangements that get richer with every listen. On the gentle âMiles to Go,â dreamy pedal steel and whispery mandolin capture an endless road of longing. The barroom waltz âThis Time Aroundâ finds everyone at their best, with Armstrong belting an instant sing-along chorus with guest harmony vocals by Jim Cuddy of Torontoâs stalwart journeymen, Blue Rodeo, pianist Darice Bailey making the ivories dance, Daryl Coutts coaxing warm melodies from the Hammond, and drummer Andy Baker laying down a sweet and steady backbeat. But itâs the driving opening track, âHeaven,â that sums up the spirit of the record. âWe spend too much time thinkinâ about heaven and lost in our hometown,â sings Armstrong, echoed by Macyâs tasty Telecaster licks. Few songwriters make the beautiful drudgery of this American life such a rousing affair.