Left Arm Tan – When Tigers Smoked
The majority of this, their 7th album, was bravely conceived by guitarist Daniel Hines (also keys/harmonies) while recovering from several surgeries — one side effect was becoming prolific with his songwriting. Together with singer Brian Lee they designed When Tigers Smoked (Dropped Oct 9/Independent) a line that refers to a Korean expression that translates to “once upon a time.”
The LP touches upon mortality, perseverance, & hope. A whistle past the graveyard. The 13 cuts were produced by Salim Nourallah & recorded live in 6 days in Dallas, TX. The blend is roots rock, Americana with a dash of alt-country with the abandon of a singer-songwriter who has stories to tell. 15 years into their career the Fort Worth, TX group Left Arm Tan doesn’t provide an array of music like hard candy, but a confection of melodies that melts in your ears.
The production is clean, pristine, & provides the necessary charm (“Wasted Rain”). An originality that’s to be admired. Even their balladry has sustenance (“Heartbreak Again”). With “Wasted Rain,” the playing is subtle & mindful of the old Americana band Seatrain that produced songs like “Rondo” that had ingenious word play & similar strains of guitar as Left Arm Tan.
Fortunately, the band doesn’t play too close to the standard of today’s alt-country groups. They do have unique adornments in their showcase. Lead singer Brian Lee (piano/guitar) doesn’t have a strongly distinctive voice but does have a voice with character. He knows how to approach a lyric. “Drunk, High & Empty Inside,” is wonderfully upbeat & should become a standard. It has all the qualities of Townes van Zandt, Guy Clark & even Mickey Newbury.
That quality shifts to the ballad “Almost Beautiful Sinner” one of the best composed songs in this collection. When an LP is put together, one magical element is creating not only a collection of songs but an environment that will translate to a listener. This one possesses that when listening straight through. It’s not a country set, or a folk album, but it is a story-based formidable showcase. Some songs are stronger than others but hey, if you want to eat steak you’re going to want a piece of bread.
“Rolling Under the Stars” is prairie rich, lots of good descriptive lyrics & Spanish horns. One of the best Lee vocals. The drama is there, the melody sustains, the strings are consistent & act like the threads that hold it together. The whistling is simply charming. Gram Parsons would be proud. This band shouldn’t be a secret for long.
Highlights – “Amsterdam,” “Heartbreak Again,” “Wasted Rain,” “Drunk, High & Empty Inside,” “Almost Beautiful Sinner,” “Rolling Under the Stars,” “Die Young” & “Ever So Alone.”
Add’l Musicians – Mark Belding (horns/steel guitar/guitars/harmony), Jeff Scroggins (bass/harmony), Shawn Light (guitars/mandolin/keys/harmony) & Tim Manders (drums/harmony).
Color image courtesy of the band’s Facebook. CD @ Bandcamp & https://leftarmtan.com/