Django Mack – 100 Page Tattoo
Django Mack – 100 Page Tattoo
URL: http://www.djangomack.com/
Django Mack has built a much deserved reputation as one of the most interesting acts working in an Americana style today and their latest release, a six song EP entitled 100 Page Tattoo, should do much to further burnish their reputation. Led by main songwriter and vocalist Brandon Butrick, the band is unafraid to incorporate horns and backing singers in an effort to own more and more of the time-honored sound they invoke through each of these six cuts. The band clearly understands their own strengths and that’s reflected in their choice to self produce – Butrick and the rhythm section of bassist Tom Donald and drummer Tim Vaughan handled production duties for 100 Page Tattoo and the results are notable. There’s a pleasing absence of self indulgence and the light touch of gimmicky post production effects actually makes the collection stronger instead of miring it in pretentiousness.
That utter lack of self indulgence and pretentiousness really comes through with the first song “100 Page Tattoo”. Leading things off with the title song denotes a certain amount of confidence that the tune itself manifests thanks to its hard-changing drums, slinky bass line, and the relentless flourish of horns coloring in the song’s empty spaces. It also has a thoroughly modern sound and a vocal from Butrick that provides the crowning touch. They switch gears for the second song “Lookout!” and Rich Flynn’s guitar work takes on a greater role here than it enjoys in the first number. The duration of the song is somewhat key to its overall excellence, as well, because it shows a band capable of eliminating any sideshows in favor of pursuing a focused approach that keeps listeners involved from the first note onward.
“Knock Me Down” might have a very different sound than we hear on the rest of the EP, but the acoustic backing doesn’t dilute the songwriting grit that feeds the band’s artistic vision and it provides them a welcome chance to show another side of the musical character. It’s an emotionally satisfying number as well thanks to Butrick’s outstanding vocals. “Knife Fight” is an equally rewarding Butrick vocal showcase that’s well served by musical accompaniment intent on complementing his work rather than pushing against it. The band makes a clear effort here to impose a mood upon the listener’s consciousness and the effort makes for one of the EP’s best moments. A little levity is in order after this song and the band delivers with their car ode “Roadrunner” and, despite the playfulness of the song both lyrically and musically, Butrick’s songwriting says something personal as well. We finish the EP with the barnstorming blues rock of “Rooster in the Henhouse” and the scintillating guitar work from Rich Flynn has its finest moment with this track. The hard hitting impact of this EP reverberates long after the final note fades and it rates as one of the band’s best releases so far.
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/djangomack
Mindy McCall