Third releases carry a certain weight.
Many longtime music fans know that by the second or third album is when a band
or solo performer finds the true range of their skill and delivers the fullest
realization of their potential. Angie and the Deserters’ third recording You
has six songs certainly showing that Angie Bruyere and her band have
established a new level of excellence for their songwriting and musical
performance alike. The good news is that there is no evidence they cannot and
will not further develop with additional albums. Taken on its own and
reflecting on previous releases, it is all but inarguable that You represents
another entertaining leap forward for Bruyere and her accompanying musicians.
These are songs that sturdily invoke tradition while completely rewiring the
clichés and tropes for a new era and an individual experience.
“Stay” shows depths and skills an
emotive vocalist that Bruyere began hinting at with the previous release now
fully bloomed. She caresses and slowly draws out the verses, playing off
against the mandolin and guitar alike, weaving her voice through the creases of
the song. There’s a beautiful artfulness to the construction of “Stay” that
raises it far above the typical weepy modern country radio fare. There’s authenticity
and real emotion. The same qualities make “Forgetting to Forget” equally
memorable, but this song moves a step beyond with its exceptional lyrics that
make use of tradition for greater purposes than tribute. In some ways, the song
is reminiscent much more of outlaw country ballads with its deeper emotions
than classic country from an even earlier era. “You” has a light-footed,
graceful movement thanks to its time signature and Angie Bruyere takes great
advantage of the waltz tempo to give an unusually emotive vocal. The theatrical
aspect to the performance never undermines its credibility and instead helps
make the unhappiness of the lyric softer and less grievous.
We are back to first principals with
the next song “17 Days”. This is one of Angie and the Deserters’ most
respectful nods to traditional country crossed with a slightly rambunctious
honkytonk edge. Her vocals clearly relish the song’s mix of personal imagery
with many of the popular totems of American song – the highways, the empty beds,
the taste of regret. It’s never too heavy handed, however, and the loose limbed
approach from the band makes everything quite enjoyable. “When the Nighttime
Comes” has its roots veering much closer to rock music than anything preceding
it, but Bruyere and the band use it as a stylistic affectation rather than ever
allowing it to drive the train. They layer the stringed instruments in with the
addition of acoustic guitar and mandolin, but the crowning achievement of the
song comes from Bruyere. She sings this just right, playing to the song’s need
for atmospherics without ever crossing the line into the sophomoric and
overwrought. It’s the last dramatic zenith on an EP packed with memorable
moments. Angie and the Deserters have scored big with You.
9 out of 10 stars.
Charles Hatton
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