MP3: Strayfolk - I thought I had it down
The two musical genres I find myself listening to the most are generally considered to be two of the most reviled: country and metal. I'm sure some of that is due to my steadfast, contrarian nature, but I make no apologies. I am what I am. If having Slayer loaded on my mp3 player and Strayfolk in the car stereo seems at odds, that's too bad. Good music is good music.
I've been covering a few things from the heavier end of the spectrum recently, so let's switch sides and talk country. Strayfolk is the kind of band you are amazed to discover is from Scandinavia - they're the kind of band I expect to run into at the local dive, playing an extended set for a group of indifferent drunks. There's a touch of The Pogues in their sound, but their roots are most definitely in classic Americana. Let me put it this way: if you enjoyed Bruce Springsteen's recent Pete Seeger tribute, you'll love this. It's rough and tumble at times but, as you'll hear on today's mp3, also capable of being laidback and gentle. It's those latter qualities that appeal to me most as I find them to be the most elusive. Anyone can play tough and act like a drunk, but tapping into the other, softer side of country proves to be far more difficult and is harder to fake. You can hear it in the way the performers lay behind the beat, in the coo of the steel guitar. Very well done.
Listen to more tracks from the band's website: www.strayfolk.com
Strayfolk - I thought I had it down