Bluesy Country From Petty
You know with a name like Mudcrutch and lyrics like, "I wish I had a big fat horse and the corn to feed him up" that you're about to enter country territory. It's time to forget the sprawling 21st century metropolises and head down to the river with Tom Petty's new project.
Single 'Scare Easy' is a walkaway highlight with its drawling vocals, "Yeah I'm a loser at the top of my game" and guitar frivolity that add the spark to the tense rhythm section. 'Lover Of The Bayou' has a snarling attitude and fierce guitarwork that makes it one of the most rapturous tunes on the album with an instant attack.
There are plenty of typical strolling country tunes like, 'Orphan Of The Storm' and the balmy, 'Crystal River' with guitar riffs that seem to sigh along to the slow, steady beat, which hangs on with a calm melody almost upto shoegaze standards as it crosses the 9 minute mark. 'June Apple' matches this epic standard with its zany, tinny guitar riff and blustery bassline that parade along like a country dancing tune; it's a charming little instrumental that breaks up the album perfectly. 'Queen Of The Go-Go Girls' is a bittersweet number with a pretty sparkle and lilting melody that makes it easy to hum along; like most of Mudcrutch's tunes (and unlike their name), it's easy on the ear.
'Six Days On The Road' adds a touch of sparkling blues with keys twinkling away at lightspeed and rapid guitar solos to match, with 'This Is A Good Street' matching the bright energy with its funky bassline. 'Bootleg Flyer' is a driven tune with racing guitar riffs and chilled vocals that ooze bluesy cool, culminating in a fierce and groovy solo.
The subject matter is pretty typical: fallen angels,cowgirls, broken hearts and long weeks on the road, and although the music is also pretty loyal to its genre, the band inject such an energy into it and there's such a variety of styles present on the album that it's impossible not to enjoy if you're at all alt-country rock inclined.