Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
After a crappy Summer and the onset of winter its time to blow away the blues with The Outlaw Orchestra’s new offering.
It is impossible to be miserable listening to the trippy trio and you are in for laughs, some Southern Rock, Country and some foot stomping tunes that leaves you feeling much better than you were before.
The album opens with some frenzied fretwork on guitar and banjo with Ryan clickety clacking his endorsed drumsticks to set up the groove and it is a groove that moves you with some sublime slide geetar that will have you “Hell Yeahing” till the gators come home. “Rotten Apples” delivers from the start to its finish.
SOS starts with a Zep slither by frontman Dave Roux who brings the latin taste that runs through The Outlaw Orchestra. the album definately feels rockier than previous offerings and this is very predominant during the heavy as hell break down but do not worry that tongue in cheek is always there…imagine selling your mothers teeth for a round of drinks…tut tut young man.
It is back to the heavy stomp feels on “Fear the Bite” The banjo and Dave’s worried vocals set the tense atmosphere as does the lazy Blues guitar and basically all the worries were about a drunk horse, you have to worry about these guys sometimes.
As “El Dorado” kicks in it is time to accept what amazing musicians these three are. Pete Briley is just too damned talented for his own good and the banjo work on here is beautiful. It is amazing to see how far these guys have come but still managed to hold onto that light hearted vibe they thrive off.
This song is a majesty of music and a couldron of genres that should not work but I guarantee will blow you away. Just to let you know this song title sent shivers down my spine as the name is a dreaded drink in Scotland that all teenagers had a right of passage with and many bad memories.
We have to worry if there is a drinking problem in the camp as we delve into “Holy Ground”. The lyrics are excellent and this heavy Southern drawl just goes to show how accomplished this band is now and once again how far they have come.
“Small Change” is a hysterical look at being in a band from these boys point of view. Add to this the cathchiness of crabs in a whorehouse and the first time I have heard of a two bob bit in decades. Sheer class and sheer fun.
Mr Bonammassa would happily steal the opening to “Sunday Driver”, its exquisite guitar and mood is beautiful. When you forget who you are listening too you could swear this is some of the best music you have ever heard and even when you know who you are listening to the statement cannot be changed. This is outstanding.
I remember hearing the story behind the song “Bag of Bones” long before I heard the song and I have to be honest…I am still pissing myself at the premise and it is one of those I wish I was there moments.
I am sure if you are reading this you have had your fair share of people staring at you with that strange quizzled look on other people’s faces so I suppose being mistaken for a homeless person isn’t that bad but knowing Dave and his quirky sense of humour he would have revelled in it and hey, bag of bones do not ever change.
The banjo signals the oncoming barrage of “Born to Be a Thief”. It is such a simple song but it grabs you by the collar and shakes the shit out of you. The end is based on a horse again and I wonder why it keeps losing if it is pissed out of its little metal shoes.
The Blues is back on “Graceless Time” and Dave is going full Johnny Cash with the feel and the attitude. We get atmospheric backing vocals and powerful lyrics which ties up a solid track.
The album closes with the track “Outlaw” and sounds like Elton John on Kettamine. This could easily have sat on the soundtrack to Tommy. It has vitality, soul and a kick like a mule ( or a drunk horse).
“La familia” is for all of us, it is for the lovers of live music, it is for musicians and it is for anyone who just likes to let go and forget. It is the bands best release to date and no matter how many laughs there are on this album it is time to take The Outlaw Orchestra very seriously. This is a hell of an album so boys, take a bow, you have outdone yourself.
For orders head to www.theoutlaworchestra.com
