Andrea & Mud – Institutionalized
This comes a little strange the way Webb Wilder, Robert Gordon, Junior Brown, Aztec Two-Step, Rubber Rodeo with Trish Milliken & other psycho-Billy types unload. But though drenched a little in a suggestion of novelty, these song performances are quite sharp.
Its surf-like guitars tangle the music in a noir-mood-inspiring tinge. Then, the well-sung eclectic tunes are elevated by the vocals on charming standouts (“Institutionalized,” “Mama He’s Crazy,” “Bankman,”) & it would be easy to knock off a few of these as they drank & caroused but, the 14 nuggets here sound like they were thought out, worked out & labored over. Instead of being so serious, the duo of Andrea & Mud decided they’d put entertainment first & allow the serious topics to seep in secondary…and it does.
The songs that traverse Institutionalized (Drops April 19/Guest WiFi/49:00) are primarily covers well-produced by the duo with assistance from Damon Moon & recorded in Scottsdale, GA. There’s plenty of humor but, the captivating country straw fire musicality tugs on the ear with force. There are upbeat tales with a proliferation of danceable, listenable & enjoyable pieces.
Multi-instrumentalists Andrea Colburn & baritone Kyle “Mud” Moseley are Northern Georgia artists who provide songs as therapy. Andrea’s deadpan delicious voice drips attitude on the standout “Bankman” that cooks with suggestive swing band horns. Nice touch. If Andrea were your Mama you’d take your vitamins & you would eat your liver & onions.
Ms. Colburn has humor in her presentation but possesses a rollicking Reba, Dolly & Loretta quality as she negotiates each tune. She tightens the reins on the fun with the rockabilly classic “Psycho,” which comes off with a genuine Bobbie Gentry-like storytelling style & then the deep-voiced Mud tosses out a hearty Lee Hazelwood (who duetted with Nancy Sinatra in the ’60s) gruff authoritative vocal. The contrast is pure pop country but it’s done today with just enough drama to not sink into parody. There’s a bit of class at work here.
There’s no denying they’re a vintage twosome in their music — polished & have fumes of a group called The The: Hank Williams songs fill their all-country CD “Hanky Panky” with deep vivid warped melancholy vocalizing.
It’s fun country music without the hokeyness. Andrea’s serious submission comes on the lovely ballad “Kitchen Floor,” & the superb “This Time.” Nice touches abound throughout each though the “Blue Skies Reprise” at the end wasn’t necessary & the music herein deserves better CD artwork. They’re not Alice Cooper.
Highlights – “Institutionalized,” “Mama He’s Crazy,” “Bankman,” “Trouble’s Gone,” “Psycho,” “Kitchen Floor,” “Committed To Parkview,” “Hard Life,” the superb “This Time,” “Welcome To Blue Skies” & “Just Dropped In.”
Musicians – Brett Resnick (pedal steel guitar) & several other musicians not listed.
Cover color image courtesy of Andrea Colburn. CD @ Amazon & https://andreaandmud.com/
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