Bongo Boy Records continues its reign as the incontestable champion of independent artists with its latest collection, Bongo Boy Records: Homestead Volume Seven – a more rootsy, country-leaning, Americana-inspired affair featuring 12 distinct artists longing to explore, but never...
Bongo Boy Records continues its reign as the incontestable champion of independent artists with its latest collection, Bongo Boy Records: Homestead Volume Seven – a more rootsy, country-leaning, Americana-inspired affair featuring 12 distinct artists longing to explore, but never truly leaving home. Let’s talk about it.
The album kicks off with Todd Barrow’s “My Girl Crush.” With pedal steel guitars, a steady beat, and a sturdy country music voice, “My Girl Crush” is the anthem for small towns, big dreams, and perpetually aching hearts.
Track #2 features OLYA K with “Waking Up in Nashville [Eggs and Bacon].” This is an upbeat, catchy track with familiar country progressions and OLYA K’s smooth, lilting voice. If you have a heartbeat, I guarantee your toes are currently tapping.
Track #3, “Mrs. Right,” introduces us to Lyn_Sey – a sister/brother band that brings a gentle acoustic sound – like wind winding through wheat, or through the hair of a soft spoken traveler that, while world weary, retains a tenacious pace. And if you like this one, stay tuned for two more tracks from this rootsy rock duo.
And the painfully honest, gut-punching lyric of the day goes to Coconut Creek and their song, “High Fivin’ Hearts” – “Caught up in the rat race, and the biggest rat is me.” Yep, we bemoan it, but we indulge it. The song features a deep voice that, in parts, is reminiscent of Crash Test Dummies’ dramatically deep warbling. You’ll like it, and then you’ll acknowledge your hand in creating it.
Track #5, “King Brewster” by the Paula Boggs Band (featuring Dom Flemons), rings with banjo and layers of acoustic guitars. This is stripped down music from extensive flatlands and intensive struggles. And Dom Flemons’ voice rumbles in a lower register – a voice that carries the sprawling years, and humble – but never final – defeats.
Track #6 features Bongo Boy Records regulars Boys’N’Barry with “Homemade Hero.” This is an inspiring number kicking off with piano and organ, and an unfolding story of the guy who made it big, and kept it honest.
Lyn_Sey takes the number seven spot with “Remember You.” Featuring a rich female vocal and something lamenting, guitar-based, and midtempo, “Remember You” is definitely pulling on some heartstrings. This is a well mixed, sonically balanced endeavor by the talented brother and sister ensemble.
Track #8 features Durango McMurphy with “The Ghost of James Dean.” With slide guitar, a consistently strummed acoustic, and bending, train-whistle-like harmonies, “The Ghost of James Dean” is a catchy, chugging slice of deep country.
Track #9 features “Let There Be Love” from Linda Marks. Sounding a bit like Judy Collins, this paced, acoustic number comments on contemporary stressors (the Internet, politics – you can guess the rest) while maintaining a message of peace (and Linda’s voice might actually help achieve it).
“Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier” comes courtesy of Ann M. Wolf. This starts with a quiet lament and dramatic vocals, but surprisingly shifts to something more aggressive – more impactful. Say hello to electric guitar, a strong beat, and a very bold and swelling proclamation.
Todd Barrow returns with track #11, “West Texas Wind.” Another country-leaning track with clean guitars, organs, and Todd’s strong, character-filled voice, “West Texas Wind” makes one wonder why the country charts aren’t showing signs of Todd’s climbing dominance.
The album closes with “Southern to the Bone,” the third offering from said talented twins, Lyn_Sey. This is a darker affair – like the entrance music to a trigger-happy outlaw, or an especially put upon Marshall. Some strong chord choices here lay the bricks to one’s proud origins.
But is it good?
If you dislike overproduction, preferring the raw sound of human voices, tastefully amped instruments, and country music spinning tales about the land and its embattled inhabitants, you’ll love the Homestead Volume Seven collection from Bongo Boy Records.
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BELOW: Listen to Bongo Boy Records: Homestead Volume Seven and check out this growing independent label across several social channels, and of course, their website. Please support Bongo Boy Records and their artists by playing, downloading, and/or purchasing their music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
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