Blitzen Trapper - All across this Land

October 2nd 2015

(CD Album Review)

***2/3

Laid back 70's Country vibe, is a journey 'All across the Land' !!!

Blitzen Trapper come out of Portland Oragon, and were associated with the infamous record label Sub Pop. The band have going for fifteen years not, mixing up their own brand of Alternative Country / Folk with the Classic Soft Rock / Blues sound of the 70's. The new album 'All across this Land' is the bands eighth studio effort, and is released in the UK via Vagrant Records, and I am sure a tour will follow up shortly,

The first song the title track of the album 'All across this Land', is a really memorable song... that you feel you have actually heard before. I think this is because it sounds like 70's American Rock / Country / Blues, off the mainstream radio. This band are as traditional 70's Country Rock as they good be, think beards, tight jeans, checked shirts and big belt buckles... and you have it.

The video looks like it was done cheaply, using their iPhone with the filter on to make a Retro feel to it. While they drive down an old abandoned road out in the middle of nowhere, but this kind of works for their sound. The album goes on to the second track 'Rock and Roll was made for You', which has what the band call a percussive guitar riff. But I think is a track that goes back over the career of the band and takes a lot of the best moments into one package.

The album has so many different moments, like the atmospheric masterpiece 'Mystery and Wonder'. Which is one of the most interesting songs on the record. The track is about moving to somewhere new, and not knowing what is in store for you... everything in this case is a 'Mystery and Wonder'. So I think the title and the whole feel of the song, really works well for Blitzen Trapper.

'Love grow Cold' sounds like Country newcomer Kip Moore and The Killers mixed, maybe this is because both artists are influenced by Bruce Springsteen and this song has that kind of feel. Maybe mixed a little with the sound of Country / Folk legend Neil Young. I do like this song, but at times it sounds to similar to tracks in this genre I have already heard. Also it get's a little repetitive, but it does have some really redeeming features in the for of the great guitar work that is provided half way through.

'Lonesome Angel' is a great track, mixing up the sound of Buffalo Springfield with the Travelling Wilburys in this classic Folk / Country song. It's a trip back in time to a place that feels comfortable, the time of Bluegrass... so these elements of the music are kind of nice. 'Nights were made for Love' is a song about the old days, back in high school when the band just formed. This song is a great continuation of the album's sound, and is a slightly more fun... slightly up tempo song.

The slightly darker driving song 'Cadillac Road' has a weird feel to it. I think this is a band that spend a lot of time on the road, dealing with being lonely while spending a lot of time traveling. But strangely this is a song written about a mill in the mountains near the town the band grew up in, and when it shut down one man was left in the woods on his own. So in a way keeps up the feelings of being alone, that goes throughout the album.

'Let the cards Fall' goes back the Springsteen Country vibe of being on the road, it sounds like it comes straight out of Nashville or out on the range. I think this song is one of my favourites on the album, it sounds like it has been recorded years ago. The thing I like about this album, is that every track is great. Even closers 'Even if you Don't' and 'Across the River', don't faultier even though they are at the end of the record.

I think that Blitzen Trapper are a band that are made for vinyl, with the crackling and maybe jumps... just enhancing the bands sound. If your a fan of 70's Rock you really can't go wrong with this, it does what it says on the tin. It's a little too chilled at times, but I like the Bruce Springsteen, Kip Moore, Neil Young Esq. Country Alternative Soft Rock sound of it. So if you are into this, it's a great addition to your CD collection.

Review by Dan Devour