The Stranger opens with its title track, which has a slow, moody
intro, like the song is stretching to get ready. Then suddenly it kicks in to
become a groovy, catchy country tune, with a rhythm that at first suggests it
is casually moving about on horseback, then builds from there. I especially dig
that piano. I also love those vocals, which are perfect for this kind of song, a
bit weary, a bit edgy, with some humor and honesty. “We’ve been pushing our luck/And we’re bound to fuck up.” Oh yes.
The song is taken up a notch in the second half, taking on more of a rock
sound, the electric guitar moving to the fore. From beginning to end, this song
goes through several changes, and they all work well. Nate Barkdull plays drums
on this track. “The Stranger” is followed by “Natchez Trace,” a song written by
Brad McCarly. This one grabs you immediately, beginning softly with just vocals
and guitar, then kicks in, taking you with it, developing a haunted vibe. This
is a song that conjures ghosts on the roadside, and you can almost see them.
Just try not to become one of them. I love that harmonica, which rises from the
asphalt to wrap around the hood of your car. “And then all of a sudden everything, everything went dark.” Halfway
through the track there is a cool instrumental section.
“Glass Window View” is a
beautiful and moving song, more in the folk realm and featuring some nice
touches on mandolin. “I was driving home
just yesterday, it seems/And you were still waiting for me.” This is one of
my personal favorites. It was written by Morgan Snow. Then “Blue Smoke” begins
with a driving power, and right away you know this one is going to take us on a
ride, though at first we don’t know whether that ride will end in disaster or
triumph. But we are eager to go along and find out, regardless of the outcome. “I see your heart’s on your sleeve/And there’s
nothing that you said you won’t do/Hey, baby, I’m coming to see you.” I
love the way the harmonica takes over at one point, leading the band in a good
little jam. Then toward the end, the guitar leads us in an even better jam, and
I feel like we’re riding off for good, a glorious Thelma & Louise type of ending, you know? But actually it ends
with a Beatles reference and some laughter, sort of releasing us, dispelling
some of the magic of the ride. I would have preferred it to explode than
fizzle. But up to that point, it is a damn good track, written by John Davis.
The band then goes into bluesy,
mellower territory with “I’m Not Your Baby,” which features a really good vocal
performance. “I hope you don’t find/Yeah,
I said I hope you don’t find your way/Back to me/No, not again/Because I’m not
your baby/I’m not your friend.” I also like the work on organ. Sarah DeGraw
provides some vocal work on this track. That’s followed by “Old Friends,” a country
tune with a positive bent and a passionate vocal performance. “But now I know life’s about choices/It does
no good not to feel/And if I only lived in heaven/I’d never know what’s real.”
There is a wonderful instrumental section in the second half of the track,
featuring some excellent stuff from all the musicians, including Kate MacLeod
on violin. “Dig A Hole” is another moving track, this one featuring banjo. The
album then concludes with a cover of “Rooster,” written by Jerry Cantrell. I’ve
never been a fan of Alice In Chains, but I do like Triggers And Slips’
rendition, which has a soulful, bluesy vibe. “Seems every path leads me to nowhere.”
CD Track List
- The Stranger
- Natchez Trace
- Glass Window View
- Blue Smoke
- I’m Not Your Baby
- Old Friends
- Dig A Hole
- Rooster
The Stranger is scheduled to be released on November 22, 2019.
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