For me, the genre of Americana that developed in the 1970s is defined by three tracks from that era: Bob Dylan’s All The Tired Horses, Canned Heat’s On The Road Again, and the ultimate track from this genre, America’s Horse With No Name. All three of these tracks evoke the wide-open spaces of the United State’s Midwest and the culture of a wandering troubadour. On American Goldwing Portland group Blitzen Trapper successfully revive the genre of Americana with southern guitar licks and a damn fine Southern rock swagger. Those familiar with Blitzen Trapper’s previous album Destroyer Of The Void will discover American Goldwing is a far more linear beast with none of the paganistic imagery or psych-folk trimmings of its predecessor. But through simplicity the five piece achieve a profound impact through each song making American Goldwing one of the most consistent rock releases of 2011.
Highlights include the uplifting good-times feel of opening song Mind Find It Cheap – this track the fun time swagger of Steppenwolf’s Magic Carpet Ride and also possesses the rolling emotion of Fleetwood Mac’s Go Your Own Way. The song My Home Town reeks of nostalgia as harmonica, slide guitar and vocalist Eric Earley’s Dylan-esque nasal inflection buoy this melodic number along. A solid release if you like that old time rock’n’roll done by people your own age.
Best Track: My Home Town
If You Like This You’ll Like These: Helplessness Blues FLEET FOXES, Trials Of Van Occupanther MIDLAKE, The Stage Names OKKERVIL RIVER, Cease To Begin BAND OF HORSES
In A Word: Rolling
BY DAN WATT
