Seattle band Massy Ferguson further cement their alt country /roots rock status with another solid new album Victory & Ruins.
The thirteen song collection focuses on the easy going narrative vocal styling of Ethan Anderson, who is mix between Tom Petty and Steve Earl. The album kicks off with the poppy hook laden single “Hello,” then quickly changes gears with the roughed up country two stepper “Renegade,” as if to say ”hey we are little bit country and a little bit rock n roll.” Up and coming country sensation Zoe Muth makes a guest appearance on the ballad “The Hard Way,” the country cosmopolitan duet is given even more authenticity with some fine pedal steel from Jason “J” Kardong.
Anderson channels his inner Springsteen preaching some good advice on the Never Surrender styled rocker “Compromised Intentions.” A fresh surprise a midst all the rocking out is the bittersweet “Apartment Downtown.” The band goes for the soft sell by adding upright bass and cello to accompany finger picking guitar from Adam Monda as Anderson paints the picture of a lover pushed out into the cold to contemplate the end. The album ends with two unlisted tracks including the muscular reading of Gillian Welch’s”Wrecking Ball,” as an added treat. Extra credit must be given to producer/engineer Johnny Sangster who captured the sounds in a sublime natural live environment.
http://www.massyfergusonband.com/index.html
