Being one of the USA’s most exciting acoustic country and bluegrass bands, their songs have an authentic ring; complete with scratchy fiddles and effortless harmonica medleys. The group, originally from Harrisonburg, Virginia, have made a swift transition from a slightly safe and comfortable album ‘Big Iron World’ to a current sounding ‘Tennessee Pusher’, which combines their bluegrass roots with a satisfying mix of exciting new sounds.
Alabama High Test is a head-nodding, hand-clapping fiddle driven tune with rousing vocal harmonies, whereas Highway Halo is an easy-going tune. Dreamy harmonica melodies create a day-dream perfect song.
On a more sinister note, Methamphetamine is a doleful ballad focused on modern day drug tragedies. A wailing chorus of the word ‘Methamphetamine’ cries out sorrow and anguish. Humdinger is a classic country anthem. “If you’re not a right winger then we’ll all have a humdinger!” You can easily imagine the sweltering instrumental spurring drunken shenanigans at a rowdy barn dance in the middle of nowhere. It’s a real foot stomper.
Drawing to a close, Motel in Memphis is delicately written about the death of Martin Luther King Jr and Lift Him Up is a soothing cover of Blind Alfred Reed’s original.
Tennessee Pusher is a fresh sounding album which has helped Old Crow Medicine Show emerge further into the contemporary country music scene. With original sounds and exhilarating new ideas as well as traditional sounding melodies they've knocked the nail right on the head this time.
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