Run Katie Run – Cowboy Boots with Fishnet Tights
This Atlanta-based band is steeped in Americana/roots & twang but while it can be argued about what kind of music the band tries to convey they do effectively perform a variety of relationship tunes from a distinctive repertoire.
Most important is the chemistry that mixes between the musicians & whether they are capable of crafting cunning work in a country vein & not be diluted by their attempt to be accessible. There are many bands who try to mix genres – some succeed (The Grateful Dead) some don’t.
The 13-cut Cowboy Boots with Fishnet Tights (Drops April 28–Independent) is a well-played menu of tunes with charm, relevancy & finesse. It’s 49 minutes of near-sounding novelty-oriented songs but the contrast between Katie Coleman’s & Corey Coleman’s vocals is what brings out the irresistible attraction on songs like “Better Take Me With You.” Corey has a cool Nitty Gritty Dirt Band vocalizing style & Katie is more Reba-attired. Together they sprinkle the simplicity of the tune into exalting jukebox gold.
The danger with this music is its propendency to slide gently into formulaic music. But the Colemans avoid this temptation with creative arrangements to endow their showcase remarkably well. The rollicking “The Art of Being Miserable,” with Katie’s superb vocals is solid evidence.
Katie tempts novelty through a more Dolly Parton tone with “Pop Song,” (filler at best compared to the other entries). It has a vintage angle found on 60s C&W popular songs with the full-blown chorus with syrupy mainstream necessities. That said, they still perform it with gusto, but it’s for selective tastes.
The thread through these songs (“This Is All Your Fault”) is that they’re easily comparable to commercial 60s country – Sue Thompson’s (“Paper Tiger”), Diane Renay’s (“Navy Blue”) & Jackie DeShannon’s (“Don’t Turn Your Back On Me”). The secret’s to create something memorable. Katie & company might be mining a hole in the musical ground that still has a motherlode. Nothing’s ever silly.
“Maybe Tonight,” is good & “The Middle,” too. Katie’s voice soars with beauty & on “Maybe Tonight,” sounds convincingly like a teenager with the playful tone of Kathy Young (“A Thousand Stars”) or Robin Ward (“Wonderful Summer”). Intonation & phrasing — admirable.
The tune “Make You Love Me,” is mindful of the Sons of the Never Wrong while “Probably Won’t,” is pleasant but with a show tune Dory Previn approach.
Highlights –“Better Take Me With You,” “The Art of Being Miserable,” “This Is All Your Fault,” “Maybe Tonight,” “Fight the Fights,” “The Middle,” the exceptional “What’s Mine, What’s Yours?” & “Make You Love Me.”
Musicians – Kate Coleman (lead vocals/electric & acoustic guitar/glockenspiel/tap dancing), Corey Coleman (vocals/lead guitar/keys/strings), Adam Pendlington (banjo/electric & acoustic guitar/vocals), Ian Pendlington (drums/percussion/keys/vocals), Stephen Quinn (bass/vocals), Addie Levy (mandolin) & Sarah Cammisano (fiddle).
Stitched lyric insert included. Color image courtesy of Runkatierun/Luigi Louissaint. CD @ Bandcamp & https://www.runkatierun.com/
Enjoy our previous coverage of Run Katie Run, here: Song Premiere: Run Katie Run I’ve Been Called Worse