The Mallett Brothers Band – Higher Up In the Hills
This 14-cut set is from a Maine band that’s been producing music for 15 years. They’ve mastered several genres with skill & determination – rock, country, folk & Americana. At this point, they’ve also crafted their own delightful & accessible style. This is their 7th & it features a hot guest spot on “Dogs and Horses” by Chuck Leavell (Allman Brothers Band, the Rolling Stones) on piano & organ.
Produced by Jonathan Wyman, Higher Up In the Hills (Drops April 4/Independent/58:48) it’s a consistent open throttle display of today’s Southern rock as recalibrated via the Northern territory. It’s not in any form of musical reappropriation (such an inane term) but a cool, respectful interpretation that’s wonderfully performed by musicians who are dedicated to the genre. I’ve heard blues & jazz played by Italian musicians & they’re impeccable.
So, with their opener “Nothing’s Working,” the uninitiated are subjected to a nice intro with the band’s projected clarity & country-rock seasoning that makes music like this so attractive. Good, untypical vocals (they don’t sound like the Allman Brothers or Marshall Tucker band) that keep the groove tight with a mainstream thrust that also maintains the power to fascinate with good lyrics.
This band is more like the exciting Oyster Band, Spirit of the West, Great Big Sea & the Bo Deans than regular country-rock bands. The only problem I had was the nice drum conclusion that ends up abrupt & inconclusive. If I were the producer, I would’ve asked the drummer to create a far more compelling percussive finale. The cut-off sounds like an error. Oh, well.
“Lighter” brings a more atmospheric heavier artillery to the song arrangement. Some would say it plods, but it’s a well-muscled performance. The fiddle cuts through with a nice punch & vocally, it’s authoritative. The drums thud with thick, steamy punctuations until the guitars add their sweep of sweet, sharp notes. Great song.
Country music has developed its Southern fried style for decades with marvelous musicians, but as of today, this is as fine a representative example of the perfect marriage between country & rock n’ roll that’s out there. It has its double-fisted attack tunes; it has the slinky, seductive, randy saloon temperate melody (“Simple Country Livin’”) with swooning harmonica & torpedo drum beats.
“Seville” is exceptional. There’s a quiet sophistication in The Mallett Brothers’ compositions. It’s the thinking man’s country-rock – the thinking man who also brings his dance shoes to every show.
Highlights – “Nothing’s Working,” “Dogs and Horses,” “Outer Limits,” “Lighter,” “Simple Country Livin’,” “Bandits,” “Seville” & “Home Cookin’.”
Musicians – Luke Mallett (guitar/vocals), Will Mallett (guitar/harmonica/vocals), Nick Leen (electric & upright bass), Andrew Martelle (fiddle/synth/mandolin/piano/bgv) & Brian Higgins (drums/percussion/bgv). The LP: in loving memory of guitarist David Mallett (1951-2024), whose songs were performed by Pete Seeger, Emmylou Harris & John Denver.
Image courtesy of the band’s website. CD @ https://www.mallettbrothersband.com/band
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Song Premiere and Interview: The Mallett Brothers “Dogs and Horses”