There seems to be no shortage of dry and dusty tracks running through the backwoods of America. You'd think everybody would keep to those paved highways running between here and the next metropolis in the safety of their four wheeled, air conditioned coffins. Most do, to tell the truth, and comfort themselves with the plastic cowboys of Nashville or the incessant revivals of once great rockers. On those dry and dusty tracks however, the great American folk tradition lives on, now disconnected from commercial success but not from the ears of those looking more than audio candyfloss.
Magrane Hill - a duo made up of Travis Magrane and Adam Hill - are troubadours that seem to have fallen in from another time frame and indeed they sound timelessly traditional on "Darlin' Corey" with their duetting vocals and fast picking guitar and even throw in a bit of Guthrie style protest in the wistfully sarcastic "America". Whilst there is a sense of sadness (perhaps at the state of the nation?) that pervades this album, this is not a relentlessly downbeat collection. "Unknown Unfamiliar Blues", for example, sounds like Simon & Garfunkel doing a Steve Earle song and "Fueled Up" is the kind of proto rock 'n' roll song that would go down well in Jack Daniels country. Having said that, I have to admit however that it was the laidback, almost gothic, Wurlitzer piano driven "Devil in Red" that did it for me
It is an interesting point that there is so much interest in roots music today. Perhaps it is a reflection of society's emptiness that, for your answers, you have to look back into the past. What is for certain is the conviction of these two musicians regarding the truth of their performances and, as a result of that, this album is one that you easily warm too.
Available from CD Baby.