I really should not read press releases as they just confuse me. I’ve no idea what an alt-bluegrass band should sound like but it is duly claimed that London band The Wagon Tales are one such band. Their self titled EP does sound vaguely like bluegrass should – or at least it does when Ben Somers takes the lead – but otherwise wanders off in many different musical directions.
“Crooked Stones”, for example, revs itself up with near Celtic fervour before bluegrass conventionality overcomes “Dad, You Better Start Drinking”. I’ve never been convinced of the need for British bands to so carefully duplicate the roots music of another country but I will admit that Kate Robinson’s fiddle hits the mark here. Her fiddle also adds sentiment to “Lie and Wait” thus compensating for the overly polite lead vocals. The highlight of this EP, however, is the last song “I’m Here” that veers toward the theatrical as if merging British music hall into a laconic and reverential nod of the head to traditional American musical styles.
So, all things considered, this is an interesting EP that betrays a certain lack of direction – or perhaps the courage to decide a direction - but otherwise indicates that The Wagon Tales are a band with potential.