With the pandemic still going, and hate crimes and homelessness on the rise, and the Republicans continuing to prove themselves to be soulless scoundrels, we are going through some hard times. No doubt about it. So we are certainly in need of something to raise our spirits, something to get us shaking our bones while also not pretending our troubles are gone. Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band is back with just the thing, Dance Songs For Hard Times. How is that for a perfect album title? This new album has all the energy and power and joy of a live performance, and will likely get you dancing, whether you intend to or not. Yet these songs address some serious subjects. The album features all original material, written by Reverend Peyton.
It opens with “Ways And Means,” a cool, raw bluesy number, with Reverend Peyton singing “I got all the ways, I just ain’t got the means.” That’s a seriously good line about perhaps having the talent but not the connections or financial backing to realize one’s dreams. And it’s followed by another great line: “I got all the blues, I just ain’t got the green.” Certainly folks are going to be able to relate to this song. And when those backing vocals come in, man, you feel you are in good company. You know? This song contains a reference to Jack Kerouac and On The Road: “Then it’s back on the road just like Kerouac/Live outta my backpack.” Then “Rattle Can” comes on strong, with a fast, driving rhythm, like rockabilly powered by homemade jet fuel or something, and a vocal performance that is barely contained, ready to tear itself out of your CD player and burn a hole in the ceiling. So, you know, please be careful. This is a whole lot of fun.
A more relaxed groove is established at the beginning of “Dirty Hustlin’,” but the vocals are certainly not relaxed. “I’ve been honest strugglin’, then the world starts crumblin’/I might have to go back to my old dirty hustlin’/Oh baby, I ain’t scared of nothin’.” Add some percussion that is like a rattle snake ready to strike, and you’ve got one hell of a cool track. When these guys count off a song at the beginning, you know you’re in for a good ride. Such is the case with “I’ll Pick You Up.” This one has a youthful vibe and excitement, and a ton of appeal. Check out these lines: “It’s got a little bit of rust, like every car does/But that don’t take away its charm/I’ll pick you up if the damn thing starts.” That’s followed by “Too Cool To Dance,” a song with a great 1950s feel. Check out that work on guitar. In this song he sings, “Please don’t tell me you’re too cool to dance.” Indeed, life is short, sometimes much too short, and so we have to enjoy ourselves, and never, ever worry about how we may look on the dance floor. “We may not get another chance,” Reverend Peyton reminds us.
“No Tellin’ When” is an excellent, bluesy and timely number about longing to see family and friends in person. It has been more than a year since I’ve been able to see my family, and I know I’m far from alone in that. My parents are now getting the vaccine, which is a step in the right direction, but it might still be a while before we’re together. This song should speak to most of us, and the ones it won’t speak to won’t be listening anyhow. This track features some absolutely wonderful work on guitar. Then Reverend Peyton all but screams out the opening lines to “Sad Songs.” Oh yes, I love a group that doesn’t hold back, that is willing and eager to give everything. “Don’t leave me here with these sad songs/Don’t leave me here, baby, all alone.” And the line “Just whistling a melody like I’m on death row” helps to make this one of my personal favorites.
“Crime To Be Poor” is another timely number about the discrepancies in the way so-called “justice” is dealt in this society. “Poor folks go to prison and rich folks get forgiven.” Seriously, when is that racist sociopath Trump going to be arrested? Anyway, I love that harmonica. This is another of the disc’s highlights. Though, let’s face it, there isn’t a weak track here. “Crime To Be Poor” is followed by “‘Til We Die,” which opens with the lines “Let it rain, let it pour/Let the wind howl and roar.” This song feels like a defiant celebration of life, featuring more great work on guitar. Then we get “Nothing’s Easy But You And Me.” First of all, I fucking love the song’s title, its playfulness and, yeah, its honesty. And then the song has a delicious, raw and powerful sound. “Throw your legs up, mama/It don’t cost nothing/Bills keep crushing/Like a flood water rushing.” Yeah, this is another song urging us to enjoy ourselves how and when we can. Sure, we have to deal with those bills, but we can’t let that be the sum of our lives. The album concludes with “Come Down Angels,” which begins beautifully and sweetly, then kicks in to become a glorious, joyous number, one you might end up singing along with, asking for help from the heavens. It is a song to unite us and get us dancing, a great closing number.
CD Track List
- Ways And Means
- Rattle Can
- Dirty Hustlin’
- I’ll Pick You Up
- Too Cool To Dance
- No Tellin’ When
- Sad Songs
- Crime To Be Poor
- ‘Til We Die
- Nothing’s Easy But You And Me
- Come Down Angels
Dance Songs For Hard Times is scheduled to be released on April 9, 2021 through Thirty Tigers.
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