Opening with a jig fit for a leprechaun, Byron Bay’s Round Mountain Girls’ debut release One Step Closer doesn’t sound promising. But, after the Irish folk-esque intro, opener Faith melds into a rollicking country rock tune with a modern twist. Occasionally, a fiddle and Irish tin whistle interrupt to remind listeners that this is a traditional folk-inspired, blue grass roots influenced track.
The six guys, four of whom sing, are all multi-instrumentalists ranging from guitars to banjo, mandolin, fiddle, squeeze box, harmonica and more. Essentially, the album is Australian country. However, country music is a hard sell, but Round Mountain Girls manage to do it.
The standout track on the album is undoubtedly the title track. It’s midway through the song listings, but it’s loud, boisterous and perfectly conveys the romance intended in the lyrics. The following All My Life takes a welcome turn as the band switches to slower-tempo acoustic guitar-based folk, in the vein of Cat Stevens. With a lyrical focus complemented by soft and emotive fiddle flourishes, the song is demonstrative of the band’s obvious versatility.
Closer Secret Men’s Business begins with a didgeridoo-enhanced, bluesy guitar intro, which builds to an awesome classic blue-grass riot. Foot stompin’ fury pulses through the track as the strings drive the track to an almighty close.
With my continually growing appreciation of country music, I’m glad that I’ve discovered the Round Mountain Girls as they affirm my belief that Australia produces multitudes of talent in any genre.
If you like this, you’ll like: Alan Jackson, The Donovans
Best Track: One Step Closer, Secret Men’s Business
In a word: Versatile
