This is alternative country rock at its very best, and in fact this group manages to take this genre to a far higher level than any other act, around at the moment, has been able to do.
The Smouldering Sons comprise Marc Almond sound-alike Ian Brown on lead vocals and guitars, Jason Scopes on guitars, Dominique Metz on drums and Matt Round on bass. Brown and Scopes have been friends from their teenage years, and the eclectic styles that they bring to their music is quite exceptional. Scopes adds the more country feel to the music, being brought up on the guitar playing of Chet Atkins and Scotty Moore, whereas Brown adds the rock element, as his influences comprise such luminaries as Frank Zappa and Peter Green. And it is this vast difference in tastes that the diversity of this album's music derives from.
From the excellent opening track Johnny Allen, in which you have the Texan border style guitar playing in the forefront, whilst in the background it is accompanied by almost Pink Floyd sounding guitar and percussion, finishing with a very psychedelic guitar outro. You are then treated to a really emotive tune of love lost on You Don't Try, in which a poignantly driving drum beat is pounds away throughout.
The album is heavily based on the guitar, and it is further enhanced by the very fine vocals of Ian Brown, who manages to go from soft and emotive through to controlled power.
If you are only interested in traditional country, then this CD will not interest you. But if you prefer your country more alternative, and with a rockier edge to it, then this is definitely for you.
David Knowles