Lonesome Brothers – Swamptown Girl

The Lonesome Brothers third album is another fine outlet for the songwriting of Jim Armenti and Ray Mason. Theyre rounded out as a trio by drummer Bob Grant and a few other pals (including the albums producer, Jim Weeks), who contribute assorted flourish and sweetening on instruments from pedal steel to harmonica.

The dozen songs are divided evenly between the two writers. Its an especially riveting format for Mason, whose own band explores rootsy strains as an adjunct to British Invasion combo sensibilities. Here, the grittiness adds a resonant back-porch bluesiness to songs that clearly wouldnt work as well with his other outfit.

Early In The Spring oozes gorgeous sonic melancholy. In fact, melancholy paints this whole album with rich broad strokes. Though couched in sad backwards glances, Armentis Took Me For A Ride is ultimately a story of music triumphing over diminished circumstances. Dreams remain unrealized, but when the brightly articulated chorus comes in, its like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds. Similarly, Masons A Way Out Of No Way offers hope in the guise of Beatlesque guitar parts.

In fact, the constant throughout this whole album is the graceful tension between world-weary lyrics and bright chords, melodies and arrangements. Swamptown Girl is a subtle treatise on the curative powers of music. The tales may give one cautionary pause, but the songs easy grooves and the bands warm interplay are as inviting as a back rub.