Modern country seems to fall into two camps in the main. There's the "big hat" brigade (with honorary female members) that dominates the American charts with a well produced sheen of schmaltzy patriotic claptrap and there's the fiercely independent "alt country" sound, firmly rooted in the well trodden footsteps of Gram Parsons, Neil Young and Uncle Tupelo. On occasion a band, generally siding with the latter can come up with the goods that tip them into the more commercial side, sometimes with startling results (look at The Eagles for instance).
Rancho Deluxe are definitely coming from the Gram Parsons side of things (guitarist Jesse Jay Harris's father played with a version of the Flying Burrito Brothers) and pedal steel player Jay Maness has a long pedigree stretching back to Buck Owens. They have produced an album that, while not startling in its originality, is chock full of radio friendly songs, very well played and at times bursting out of the speakers with (yes) shit kickin' intensity. From the rumbling guitar that kick-starts opener "Too Late" one gets a sense that this is going to be a thrilling ride and apart from a few longeurs the quality is kept up to the very end.
Chockfull of chunky, twangy guitar swathed in sweet pedal steel and with fine filigreed dobro and fiddle the band sound great. With generous playing times for most of the songs there is an opportunity for them to stretch out a bit and show off their chops. Whether it's the rocking piano on the fast boogie of "Ghost Town" or the guitar solos that climax the ballad "Sleep When You're 80" there are numerous occasions when the band just gel and its impossible to listen without having a bit of a boogie.
With impressive narratives such as "Semi Cold Cube" which relates the tale of a worker drone wearied by day to day wage slavery and a couple of instrumental showcases this album recaptures some of the feel of bands like Poco in their heyday. If that captures your fancy then I'd heartily recommend it.
Available from CD Baby.