Townes Van Zandt, Waylon Jennings, Gram Parsons, Neil Young, Steve Earle, Springsteen, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Woody Guthrie, Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Noam Chomsky, and Emile Durkheim (among others).
Sounds Like
A bunch of guys from rural Oklahoma influenced by the people listed above.
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Before they play a note, Briar Branch Road doesn't look like much. But the hodgepodge quintet clad in pearl snaps, ball caps, Chuck Tailors, and Luccheses are more interested in letting you know how music ought to be. Well, that and having a good time. And if you let them do it, then they'll have a drink with you, slap you on the back and thank you for coming.
Fans of Briar Branch Road's first album, "The Pain I Deserve", will definitely recognize "Fetch My .38" as being cut from similar cloth. Nevertheless, the album is a significant step forward musically and lyrically. On both accounts the step has been to a darker, more ominous, yet thoughtful and intriguing level. Further, singer/songwriter Dameon Allensworth has let his soulful country twang be replaced in spots with a more forceful confident baritone.
Newcomers can expect fiddle rock at its earthiest and finest. Tales of hardened folks, and the endless descent life sometimes takes, are woven together tightly with an electric guitar and serenaded mercilessly with the fiddle. A few listens and you'll be convinced that they understand not only crafting great songs, but also have their fingers on a pulse not often checked; a pulse that throbs in places overlooked by most. Its not in line-dancing, margarita drinking, honky-tonk badonkadonks or opulent yachts on crystal blue seas. It throbs in the heart of the everyman, the sad farmer, the lonely trucker, the man whose job was given to his amigo in Chiapas. They make music for you, not at you.
Although "Fetch My .38" is a loosely based concept album, the artistic backbone is the three song fiddle rock opera artfully lettered in the liner notes to set it apart. The songs, "The Smile I Mean", "Her Lovely Face" and the title cut are cased by simple electric and steel guitar. There is universality in the simplicity of the segues. Like a version of the tale is being lived somewhere else, right then.
The songs explore domestic abuse from three different points of view, none of them pleasant. The abuser, his wife, and her brother who has enough, take lead roles in each act. Musically, the songs mirror their characters descent. "The Smile I Mean" has a hopeful quality to its confident guitar backing that will ultimately be unfulfilled. She just wont leave. Whereas, "Her Lovely Face" dances with the energy of a heated domestic spat bound to escalate. Each verse tells of the abusers creation met. Matching solos from lead guitarist Aaron Wall and fiddle player Will Oldfield give the sense of a conversation being had. Finally, the title cut, brings the story home in a crunching recount of inevitable revenge. You're left with a broken woman, a fatherless son and an unapologetic incarcerated uncle. To sum the tale up, Allensworth chose to close the opera and the album singing in the first person. "Razor wire can't hold my scorn."
While the opera is perhaps the album's darkest point, BBR saved its best effort to date to weave a story about the avoidable tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. "Jefferson Parish" picks clean and heavy, a song Crazy Horse would have been proud to play. Drummer Andy Finefrock and Bassist Kye Rabon, particularly, lend to the measured foreboding quality with hammered skins and rich notes. It speaks of loss and ambivalence cloaked in religious imagery. Neil Young himself would have been proud to write it. "A good Samaritan always lends a hand when he sees someone in need... I guess its ok, to suffer."
Another particularly touching song is "Thinkin'." Allensworth paints the perfect scene of a lonely man at the end, wishing it had come years before, but still feeling the long laboring guilt of his life. "I sure miss the rhythm of the combines, but just like me they're rustin' in the barn."
After your first few turns of the album, if youre like me, youll find "Quarter Moon" stuck in your head. The song draws an interesting analogy between fertile fields and relationships. Both in the end are seasonal, and surprisingly easily exploited. "I sowed my love, and you reaped with a swing of your blade."
"Hell and Mexico," in a perfect world would be charming song about spring break, and it almost fools you. But it uses a good hook and catchy tune to remind us that this aint a perfect world. This is a world where people lose their jobs and treasured possessions. It's a world where outsourcing to other countries means "minimum wage was just too much to pay."
Yes, "Fetch My .38" sounds bleak at points, but I'm certainly not ready to dub BBR the Joy Division of fiddle rock. Their shows are simply too user-friendly and too fun. But the album visits some dark places and illuminates reactions from the people who live there. Whether its wishing to die with a glass of gin in your hand, selling your favorite fightin' cock or, god forbid, having mama fetch your .38.
Anyone leery that this album is one long suicide note, fear not. It's well placed with similar feelings and smiles present in BBR's first album. Drinking whiskey still leads to tomorrow's consequences, and Allensworth still has the gift to turn a unique love song when you least expect it and most need to hear it.
"Readily" allows producer Travis Linville of Burtschi Brothers fame to dabble at the piano. It's a song that should be played at your wedding if there's fresh straw in sight. "Livin' just seems easier whenever youre with me."
While the entire album showcases the band's growth musically, it's also a testament to Allensworth's strive for originality as a songwriter. Should you be so inclined, feel free to Google "George Maledon" and "sepulcher" and if you already know what "Polk salad" is, then this is definitely your brand of music. But if you dont, grab "Fetch My .38" anyway. Youll love the sound and feel the stories. Put it in your stereo, roll down your windows and most importantly, listen. Then stop by a dusty bar and take the time to see a band of great guys make great music.
-Ted Matthew Smith.
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Hello from Nashville Here's hoping you have a wonderful 2009 and your music career is going like gangbusters. If you plan on recording a CD soon check me out at Nashville Record Producer on MYSPACE www.myspace.com/nashvillerecordproducer You can come to Nashville and have a ball hangin' out or I can record the music tracks with Nashville studio musicians send them to you and you can put your vocals on at a studio near home and save some money. I also have original songs if you are looking for original songs. "Just "Click" on the old 1935 Packard car. E Mail me and tell me if you would like to receive my Nashville Country Music Newsletter: "Click Here to E Mail Lonnie
hey there Briar Branch Road
we are headin back to Oklahoma this Saturday night at the Wormy Dog-come down and have a beer with us!!
We are playin a co-bill with our TX buddies Macon Greyson. Full sets from both bands and we go on first so we can join ya at the bar for the 2nd half of the night!!
hey there Briar Branch Road
we are headin back to Oklahoma this Saturday night at the Wormy Dog-come down and have a beer with us!!
We are playin a co-bill with our TX buddies Macon Greyson. Full sets from both bands and we go on first so we can join ya at the bar for the 2nd half of the night!!
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