• Album Reviews: Early Winters, Harlan Pepper, Escondido

    Skot Nelson Posted On March 12, 2014
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    Early Winters – Vanishing Act

    It seems like depending on where you’re from Early Winters is either: 1) a side project of British singer-songwriter Carina Round’s, 2) a side project of Canadian singer-songwriter Justin Rutledge’s, or 3) a band from Los Angeles. Vanishing Act is the second album released under the Early Winters’  banner, and it’s launched into a world that’s seen both artists release other material in the time since their first album.

    The first thing that struck me was how much more like a band Early Winters than they did on their debut. On that album tracks seemed to alternate between numbers that were led by Round and tracks that were led by Rutledge. While the former had a slightly pop sound to them, the latter were more of the moody reflective tone that Rutledge does well. If we’re honest, the track to track transition wasn’t always smooth.

    There were beautiful moments in the last album, but there are far more of them here and they’re aren’t juxtaposed so awkwardly against the other material. The album moves seamlessly from its moody eponymous opener to the upbeat A Thing for You and that seamless transitional feeling continues through to the end. The songs riff on themes of relationship and loss, but they do it with the strong lyrical content that both songwriters have become known for.

    The Weight of the World is a standout track that features Rutledge on lead, and the album is worth it for the beautifully crafted Captives alone which stands as its last track. Pour a glass of whiskey and prepare to press repeat on that one but don’t forget to listen to the rest of this collection because it stands as a testament to the album as a collection of carefully crafted and selected songs. The band has said they feel like this is the best work they’ve ever released, and with songwriting talent this strong that’s saying something. This is timeless.

    Harlan Pepper – Take Out a Twenty and Live Life to the Fullest
    When last we met the young men of Harlan Pepper had just released a debut album, and the band’s members weren’t of legal drinking age in all fifty states. Several tours—including an opening slot with Blackie and the Rodeo Kings—later and the kids from Hamilton, Ontario have finally released a second album.
    The intervening years have seen the band grow and their latest Take Out a Twenty… sounds a bit more fully produced and carefully written. The album opens with the slow but solid I’ve Been Dead/Oh Brother which does a nice job of showing off the band’s musical chops with an underlayed guitar line that’s pretty addictive. The sound continues through an album which does a nice job of showing that the group of young musicians has grown both musically and lyrically. The album’s Soulless Boogie has a good chance of being the song of the summer in the band’s hometown of Hamilton.
     
    Take Out a Twenty and Live Life to the Fullest demonstrates the kind of evolution that puts Harlan Pepper firmly into the category of a band to keep an ear on. Make sure to take out a twenty and catch them live when they come through town, because this is a band that’s committed to having as much fun on stage as you’ll have in the audience.
     

    Escondido – The Ghost of Escondido

    Thanks in not small part to the horns that kick in after about nine seconds,Escondido’s album launches into your ears like a spaghetti western on a starry night. Hot on it’s heels comes the best advice any record has ever given you: “Stay away from evil girls / They’ll do bad things to you.” Well played, Escondido. We could all do with that reminder on occasion.

     
    The Nashville based duo (one of whom originally hails from Vancouver) release this solid 32 minutes collection of tracks last year, and it’s got me wondering how it’s taken so long to get into my head. It’s an album that succeeds in being both instantly recognizable and familiar at the same time by combining the best sounds from a multitude of words. The southern tinge is unmistakable Jessica Maros’ vocals combined with a driving beat mean that an ever present twang is balanced nicely with an indie rock sound. If you’re a fan of Calexico, Yo La Tengo or The Sadies you’re going to like what you find here. Standout tracks include the album opener Evil Girls and Rodeo Queen.
    The Ghost of Escondido is the perfect fuel for your next sunset motorcycle ride into the California dessert. It evokes both the sense of loneliness and pure exhilaration of being alone on a warm summer road, and it’s got me planning another trip already.
     
    The Ghost of Escondido is available on iTunes and makes a much smarter choice for ride down a dark desert highway than The Eagles.

     




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