Hailing from Portland, Maine, The Mallett Brothers have hit the road hard over the last few years breaking out of the local scene to play venues from New Hampshire to Texas. Their collective experiences during that time inform their well-produced and tight third release.
No matter what style of Americana (can we just call it rock?) you like, the band tosses a winner your way.
From the soft sounds of the opener “Blue Ridge Parkway” telling the story of a hitchhiker who will be just fine (as long as he’s got his old hat) to the rock sounds of the woman-stealer who ultimately loses out to his “Getaway Queen” you’re covered.
Listen to Getaway Queen:
Again, though, the theme running though the various styles here is the road.
Guitarist Nate Soule country-raps about the crazies on the road (Lipstick…what a trick…drivin’ like you’re whiskey-sick) to a backbeat that wouldn’t be out of place on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Second Helping’ album.
Will Mallett sings in “Take It Slow” that he will “only stick around for a minute or two and then down the road it’s the same ol’ blues”.
On “In the Fold”, Brother Luke Mallett (yes, they’re David Mallett’s sons) “rides them horses like the wind, cross them hills into that never-end” backed by tasty dobro fills from Wally Wenzel.
The boot-stompin’ rhythm section of bassist Nick Leen and drummer Brian Higgins will have your foot blasting through your car floorboards on “Little Bit of Mud”.
Ultimately, the road warriors come back home to loved ones in the hit-in-waiting “Something to Lean On” and yearn (somewhat) to settle down with that “Piece of Land”.
This album comes closest to their blistering live shows than their earlier releases and show a confident band ready for the next level. Don’t miss the trip.
PS…added bonus…those first 30 seconds of “Farmers Tan” makes for a great ringtone…just sayin’!
