Do you remember when Beck was a creative tour de force? When he could seamlessly blend folk, rock and alt.country and make the sound his own? When we marvelled at the intricacies of his arrangements and the inventiveness of the sound?
Well fear not, for I may have found a worthy successor in the shape of Th3se United States. Hailing, appropriately enough, from Washington DC the band have created an album which sounds like Odelay’s laid back, long lost, acoustic brother.
Weighing in at a dozen tracks and thirty five minutes this is another example of how less can often be more. Understated and underplayed this is a gem. Chock full of lazy piano riffs and even lazier vocals from Jesse Elliott the album jumps between genres with amazing regularity. as a bluesy vibe engulfs your ears.
Utilising almost entirely acoustic instruments the beauty of this album is the gentleness of the sound. The standout is the second track ‘First Sight’. Simple keyboards and quiet acoustic guitars play over the hushed vocal as the tale of “making a connection” is relayed. A truly stunning track from an excellent debut.
Is it alt/country?
Is it folk/rock?
Is it garage/blues?
Frankly I have no idea and care even less. It certainly covers all of the above although it deserves better than being pigeonholed by an obscure label. The only label worthy of this album is highly recommended.
Think of Ryan Adams, think Josh, both, Rouse & Ritter. Consider the quieter moments of Wilco and you’ll be close to the mark. An album that could only have been made in America.