I have to admit, I have been sitting on, but enjoying mind you, this album since summer, but with the release show for Mark Norris & the Backpeddlers' latest, Songs of Guilt & Revenge, going down this Saturday, what better time for a proper review. Sounding like the Hold Steady had they not embraced their Kerouac and Springstein loving side but rather their 60's Brit Rock and garage influences, Norris and crew serve up 10 track album confirming their working class hero status which the likes of Elvis Costello to Craig Finn would be proud of. Speaking of the crew, the Backpeddlers include current Harvestsum Label members Roger Bryan(Roger Bryan & the Orphans), Andy Vaeth(Johnny Nobody), both of who played together in former alt-pop outfit The Old Sweethearts for those keeping track. Not too shabby there.
Crunchy chords on tracks like album opener, the foot stopping, hand clapping "Turn the Tables", "It's Alll True", and the buzz saw guitar heroics of "New Father's Blues" back Norris' bluesy vocals on the 36 min release. "(Do the) Crying Shame" and "We Know (Who We Are)" are both pure power pop joy. The former is a rollicking number with the best use of those British Invasion keys on the album. Later on the record, "Doctor Friend", with "American Girl" esque chords that would make Tom Petty blush, finds Bryan and Vaeth adding their stellar backing vocals to the chorus as they repeat Norris' pleas. "I'm A Lot Like Him" is a late night, booze soaked sing along that sounds like it could have perfectly fit into the Basement Tapes recording sessions of Bob Dylan and the Band way back when in Woodstock.
Norris closes the album with "Old Father's Blues", a sparse, haunting track that finds Norris singing over faint, almost non existent strumming and soulful organs. Theremins weave in as Norris heartbreakingly sings "If I could go with you, you know that I would", ending the track, and the blistering album for that matter, on a touching and sombre note.
Make sure to stop by Mohawk Place at 7:00pm this Saturday to help celebrate the release of Songs of Guilt & Revenge by Mark Norris & the Backpeddlers.
Make sure to stop by Mohawk Place at 7:00pm this Saturday to help celebrate the release of Songs of Guilt & Revenge by Mark Norris & the Backpeddlers.
Mark Norris & the Backpeddlers - I'm A Lot Like Him by buffablog
0 comments
Post a Comment