There are times when I have cause to wonder about country-rock and its popularity. It seems a remarkably universal musical genre as no matter where it is played in the world it sounds exactly the same. Harmonies, lilting accented guitars and a mellow groove that blows hot and dry like the desert wind are always there. In that roundabout way of making my point, I did think The Snakes were actually an American west coast band rather than subjects of Her Majesty.
So, if you the warm waft of Americana to accompany that first glass of wine, then this album should suit you just fine. You can wallow in the mellow fruitfulness reminiscent of the Flying Burrito Brothers (“Wasting Time”) and even the First National Band (“We Can Fly”) and you would have to be soulless indeed not to think of the feel of Naugahyde on your posterior as you drive your’61 Thunderbird convertible along the Arizona highway (or indeed your Mondeo along the M6…) listening to “Cumberland Breeze”. It has to be said though that there are less successful attempts at quirkiness in “Refrigerator Blues” and “Jesus In A Box” and only “Amaretto” really demonstrates an ability to deliver a lyrical twist in the tail.
“Sometime Soon” is an album that is kind to your ears and it was an easy album to review given the number of comparisons that can be made between this band and country rock bands past and present although the aforementioned stylistic diversions did suggest a lack of direction. Perhaps as a consequence of those things, I was left with the thought that the next album would be the one that defines who The Snakes actually are.