Gasoline Lollipops – Kill The Architect
This is another cool soulful return to narrative lyrics, sharp brass blasts ala The Meters, growly Shane McGowan-type voice filled with character from a tuneful throat. It opens with “Tennessee Nights,” & with some sweet piano notes drifting throughout — this is a bristling superb piece. Mindful of Big Back 40’s style on their track “Blood” years ago. These kinds of vocals with their bluesy elements are convincing. Gasoline Lollipops fill the tank to the brim.
Recorded in Louisiana & produced by Los Lobos’ Steve Berlin (saxophone), the songs have a tight swampy edge & they’re loaded with Dr. John & J.J. Cale mannerisms. However, on “Holy Rebel,” this is what happens when you mix a lot of Tom Waits with New Orleans voodoo. This gave me goosebumps. Excellent performance. Drenched in a spooky atmosphere but never compromising the humid musicality of the Delta.
It’s a well-arranged collection that suggests we Kill The Architect (Drops June 13/ALP Recordings/42:15). Even the quieter moments have moody passages all sung incisively with lots of personality. A well-thought-out plan for each composition. Impressive showcase.
This is not necessarily what you hear on commercial mainstream radio nowadays, but it’s compelling & should draw curious ears like a magnet. They manage to capture through their melodies the haunting ambience adrift in a pirogue in the swamps without a lantern alone, hearing noises that your ears can’t decipher. The scents & the instrumental gris-gris are wonderfully chilling. Even in a song like “The Horse or the Cart” with the expressive counter-vocal of Mimi Naja, well defined & powerful.
More than just alt-country, this is like The Pogues without the Irish/Celtic alcohol aura. Instead, they replace it with the Deep South dark Cajun emollients. Quite a ride through the title track “Kill the Architect.” You would think the band would be more strident musically with these kinds of themes, but instead, they use melody & power as a substitute & to their advantage.
Though they have an alt-country contribution to some tunes, they also gloss through a grungy-heavy metal type of vocal in some songs & lovely country balladry in “The River.” It’s a peculiar mix, but in the end it works. It works entertainingly & embodies their bold creativity.
Highlights – “Tennessee Nights,” “Holy Rebel,” Mercy,” “The Horse Or the Cart,” “Kill the Architect,” & “The River.”
Musicians – Clay Rose (vocals/acoustic guitar), Donny Ambory (electric guitar), Scott Coulter (keys), Bradley Morse (bass/bgv), Kevin Matthews (drums/percussion/bgv) with guests: Gregory Alan Isakov (vocals on “Mercy”), Carly Ricks, Giselle Collazo & Erika Ryann (bgv), Art Edmaiston & Mark Franklin (horns).
A 4pp lyric insert is included. Band image courtesy of their website. CD @ https://gasolinelollipops.com/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Song Premiere: Gasoline Lollipops “Tennessee Nights”
