Rose’s Pawn Shop – Punch-Drunk Life
This album is the band’s first studio effort in 8 years, a modern roots-rock unit with a bluegrass tint recorded in Los Angeles. 12 exceptional songs with tight well-written stories, hard-fought battles, facing a crossroads, dealing with loss, acquiring resolve, redemption & survival — drenched in the musical clarity that is Americana music.
The first is “Old Time Pugilist,” (pugilist — an archaic word for a professional boxer). The vocals are mindful of the folk-rock appeal of vintage bands like Ozark Mountain Dare Devils, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Goose Creek Symphony & Seatrain. With their hardest edge being similar to the James Gang (“Walk Away”) or Spirit of the West. Everything is played well but their real highlight is their voices.
Even when the song features one solo singer the style & mood of the performances are solidly maintained with a laid-back California-Jackson Browne-type approach. However, this isn’t California singer-songwriter music. There are no Eagles comparisons. There is stamina to this music & optimism in the face of challenges.
The 47-minute firecracker CD Punch-Drunk Life (Drops Feb 23–KZZ Music) features the jabs & uppercuts of Paul Givant (vocals/banjo/guitar/songwriter), Zachary Ross (guitarist/producer), Stephen Andrews (upright & electric bass), Matt Lesser (drums/vocals) & multi-instrumentalists Tim Weed (fiddle/vocals) & John Kraus.
Being away from the studio hasn’t left much rust on their guitar & fiddle strings or mold on their drums. The diversified music tantalizes & though the songs are somewhat formulaic they possess an originality that supersedes that groove. The songwriting comes from a deep well of inspiration. Sometimes a formula is what’s actually appealing to uninitiated ears & to the mainstream. Not everything can be deep, philosophical, or political. This is entertaining — period. These guys are good.
A song like “Fugitive,” is creative. Nothing is mediocre. It’s lyrically indulgent & colorful & they apply a time-honored compositional recipe to their work. Despite a penchant for modernizing their exuberant melodies, they don’t neglect their roots. There’s lots of moonshine in their songs & they can rouse a crowd with stuff like “Miss Tennessee.” I’m a Jersey boy & this is music to scuff up some hardwood floors with.
“The Lonely One,” — the loveliest of all on this set is a fiddle-driven tune with the addition of a female vocalist who really enlightens the exercise. Nice touch, absolutely marvelous. Followed by the well-arranged “High Lonesome,” that’s a high-octane workout all the way. These pugilists set the pace with both hands.
What the band achieves single-handedly is prove that old-timey music still has life, guts & determination. Especially in the early rounds. It can still send out ripples of musical waves & none is a confection. So long as it’s in the right hands. These are the right hands.
This is a well-navigated showcase & they win every round. They’re not punch-drunk yet. Highlights – “The Lonely One,” “Old Time Pugilist,” “Ghost Town,” “Fugitive,” “Miss Tennessee,” “Boomerang,” “High Lonesome” & “Life By Misadventure.”
Color image courtesy of All Eyes Media & RPS website. CD @ https://www.rosespawnshop.com/
Enjoy our interview of Paul Givant here: Key to the Highway: Paul Givant from Rose’s Pawn Shop