Ashley Park
The Secretariat Motor Hotel
Happy Happy Birthday To Me
2003
Rating: 6.5 elderly pensioners paying by the week out of 10
Who would have ever thought a band this twangy would have ever been on Kindercore? Not that this came out on Kindercore, I just felt that fact merited being pointed out. Much like fellow countrymen The Band, this trio known as Ashley Park has crafted a truly terrific slice of Americana music. They will make most anyone think of Beachwood Sparks instantly, but this album could prove to be the one that brings them out from under that shadow. Besides, even though both bands have probably listened to The Byrd’s ‘Sweetheart of the Rodeo’ a few too many times, this record sounds like a band who has moved past that and into a territory all their own. It should also be noted that while this record is a concept album of sorts (all of the songs are based on the fictional stories of the fictional residents that reside at the fictional Secretariat Motor Hotel), but you wouldn’t really be able to tell that unless you’re really paying attention. And I rarely pay attention to such things. Easily one of the best records I’ve heard all year in the ‘alt-country’ department, and a welcome addition to my music collection. I expect to be singing along to this for some time to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment