So, this came to me without a press release. Or any artwork. Or even a sleeve of any kind, not so much as a PVC wallet or a used paper bag. I’m taking it as a statement in reference to the album’s title. So, I know nothing about the band (although their Bandcamp says they’re an offshoot of ‘legendary Austin, Texas roots-rockers The Gourds’ (although their legends hasn’t yet reached York, UK yet, and their website is down, presumably on account of lthe lack of funds), but can say that ‘Budget Cuts’ contains some suitably low-budget, authentic, down-at-heel country rock.
Stripped back and primitive, at times off-kilter and off-key, there are some decent tunes here, not to mention some neat slide guitar. ‘Cockroaches of Staymore’ inches toward the terrain of the ‘ear-bleeding country’ Dinosaur Jr set out to make, Jimmy Smith singing his guts out about cockroaches over a grungy riff. There’s ‘Crooked Rain’ era Pavement country pop with a slant and summery melodies skip over some easygoing grooves, and elsewhere, ‘Mount Bullshit’ serves up some audaciously funky soul.
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If it seems like an odd mix, well, it is, but they clearly like shaking it up a bit, and overall, succeed in delivering a lively, rough-hewn diamond of an album.
The Hard Pans Online
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