#5 - THE TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS - THE TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS (RJ'S TOP 10 AMERICANA/COUNTRY ALBUMS OF THE YEAR)

artist website - turnpiketroubadours.com

Band Members:

Evan Felker - Lead Vocals/Acoustic Guitar/Harmonica/Banjo

Kyle Nix - Fiddle/Vocals

Ryan Engleman - Electric Guitars/Steel

RC Edwards - Bass/Vocals

Gabriel Pearson - Drums/Vocals/Percussion

Guest Appearances By:

John Fullbright - Accordion/Vocals/Piano/Banjo/Acoustic Guitar

Grady Don Stradlin - Percussion

Thomas Trapp - Flatpicked Acoustic Guitar

Byron Berline - Fiddle

Producer: Ryan Engleman and Matt Wright

Released: September 18, 2015

I discovered The Turnpike Troubadours a year or so ago when I picked up their 2010 release Diamonds & Gasoline. I had heard a song or two and liked them, so I decided to pick up that release. For some reason, I didn't pick up 2012's Goodbye Normal Street, but I was pretty psyched to pick up this newest release. And it's a dandy of an album.

The album is really packed with all things that make country music and Americana music terrific. You get fiddles, banjos, pianos and even an accordion. But what makes the album most special is the band's ability to write songs that cover all possible areas of the genre. Fast songs, slow songs and radio friendly songs, though they do not get played on contemporary country music stations, which is a shame. I'm not gonna cover every song, just believe me when I say this is good stuff, beginning to end. I will mention The Bird Hunters. This song is a terrific story about a young man who grew up bird hunting with his friends and his bird dog, which he gave away as he left for the big city. That's where he met the girl that he almost married. But it didn't work out, and now he's back home bird hunting with his friends. The song is bathed in great fiddle play, and it's just a great example of an Americana gem. And if you like story songs about hittin' the juke joint, The Mercury should be right up your alley. Lori, the song's subject, has some problems, but she doesn't try to hide 'em. Just a fun, fast paced tune.

Ringing In The Year is the best chance here for radio play. Just a great melody over a lyrical jaunt about missing that someone that you deeply loved. I really love this song. And lastly, the band brings back two songs from their debut album (Bossier City), Easton & Main (easily one of the band's best songs) and the title track from that album. These are terrific songs and I'm guessing there wasn't much of a release as far as that first album goes. They definitely deserve to be heard. On a side note, if you pre-ordered the CD from the band's website, they gave you an instant download of the now out-of-print debut album. So I was able to get a digital copy of that album for free. Great bonus.

If you are a country/Americana fan, you should really check this band out. Certainly the album here but Diamond's & Gasoline is well worth the money too.

Tracks:

1. The Bird Hunters

2. The Mercury

3. Down Here

4. Time Of Day

5. Ringing In The New Year

6. A Little Song

7. Long Drive Home

8. Easton & Main

9. 7 Oaks

10. Doreen

11. Fall Out Of Love