More sparce sounding country-folk from this Canadian collective project...
Ox is the brainchild of Canadian singer songwriter Mark Browning and draws heavily on country-folk traditions; the folk element shines through in the often narrative-based lyrics, while the country influence is emphasised by the violin and slide guitar, and no doubt from the contribution of collaborators such as Trish Klein (from country outfit Be Good Tanyas). 'Dustbowl Ballads' is the darker, moodier counterpart to Ox's debut album, 'Dustbowl Revival', and plays tribute to Woody Guthrie's debut of the same name.
In trying to describe Ox's sound, Browning's own words are perhaps the most revealing; he refers to their music as 'a reflection of middle-America, when sun, sky and grain converge, where time and highway collide to leave a distinct flavour of dust in your mouth'. And the music on 'Dustbowl Ballads' does conjure up this kind of imagery - its sound is sparse and skeletal, but what is present is effective and poignant; the beautiful finger-picked acoustic guitar of the album's opening track, 'Harvester', is enough to send shivers down your spine, as does the sound of Browning's heartfelt country whine.
Tracks like 'Harvester' and 'Iowa' have fantastic melodies, and 'Iowa' in particular isn't dissimilar to the 1970s folk-rock stylings of the band's fellow Canadian, Neil Young, both in the style of the song and Browning's emotive vocals. These stunning vocals can also be heard in the tragic subject matter of 'Love Henry', a beautifully painful and heart-wrenching ballad. In tracks such as 'Rodeoman', 'Spinning Wheels' and 'Weaving' the band combine a delicate guitar sound with simple rhythms and twisted melodies, while the final track, '1913' emphasises Ox's folk background again by its sparse simplicity and Dylan-esque sound. An unexpected cover of Melanie Safka's 1971 U.S number one, 'Brand New Key', is the most distinct break in the dark, moody sound of the album, but although this is a more light-hearted song, Ox manage to make this track work brilliantly for them without it feeling out of place.
The snippets of conversation left between many of the tracks and the stop-and-start beginnings to some of the songs make this album feel very intimate, making it seem incredibly personal despite the vastness of middle-America that 'Dustbowl Ballads' draws so much of its influence from. If you're a fan of folk-rock traditions, such as those from Bob Dylan or Neil Young, or the country style of bands like Be Good Tanyas, it's almost impossible not to fall in love with the authentic, natural sounding, folk feel of this album.