I'm starting to come to the conclusion that it's impossible to create anything that's truly new in music any more, and that applies tenfold to genre music. being a traditional music form, does folk music really require innovation anyway? Apparently, if The Portland Phoenix are to be believed, the Toughcats have achieved the impossible, and within the parameters of rootsy folk-rock, have managed to become 'one of the most creative and inventive bands going today.' I'm not so sure. Perhaps it's because I'm no expert in folk, but, well,it sounds like an upbeat folk album to me.
It's fun and all, and they do incorporate a range of other genre forms within their sound, spanning country, rock 'n' roll and skiffle, although I wouldn't go so far as to call these things inventive or innovative. The dozen tracks on 'Run to the Mill' collectively sound like a right old knees-up, and I reckon they would all work best in a live context, with an enthusiastic crowd who've sunk a few drinks. I get the impression that the unpretentious, straightforward production captures the live sound reasonably accurately, but the atmosphere easily counts for as much as the music when it comes to bands like this. So, as it is, The Toughcats' second album's not bad, but in comparison to the myriad folk acts out there, 'Run to the Mill' is rather Run of the Mill.
|
http://www.myspace.com/toughcats
|
