Album review: THE WYNNTOWN MARSHALS – The Long Haul

Wynntown Recordings [Release date 15.07.13]

Whether their album title is a play on The Eagles’ last long player of the 1970′s or not, there are distinct similarities in style between The Eagles West Coast country rock sound and that of The Wynntown Marshalls – an Edinburgh based five piece whose debut album – Westerner (2010) – got rave reviews and was described as one of the best European Americana releases.

For their follow-up, the band – Keith Benzie: lead vocals, acoustic guitar, and harmonica, Iain Sloan: electric guitar, pedal steel, and backing vocals, Murdoch MacLeod: bass, and backing vocals, Kenny McCabe: drums, and backing vocals, and Richie Noble: keyboards – have employed a more DIY approach, recording the album on a Tascam portastudio in their rehearsal space above The Blind Poet public house in Edinburgh.

They’ve also stretched out the band’s sound from the purer Americana sound of Westerner, to add a more commercial edge. Despite the iconic Americana imagery of many of the lyrics, listen closely and the band’s Scottish roots are in clear evidence.

Suffused with elements of Tom Petty, Neil Young et al the observant listener will also recognise a more than a passing likeness to the sound of long since deceased fellow countrymen Del Amitri.

The result is that The Long Haul is packed with heartfelt vocals, driving guitars, chiming Rickenbacker 12-string, and the sweet pedal steel of their debut album plus multi-layered backing vocals, mellotron, banjos and mandolins, echoes of 60s beat-pop, and simpler, more contemporary guitar lines.

OK, Keith Benzie may not have the presence of Don Henley, Iain Sloan doesn’t have Joe Walsh’s rocky chops, and the harmony vocals may fall a long way short of those of The Eagles, but then they were a band of legendary status.

The Wynntown Marshals on the other hand, are an honest, down to earth band who, if they stick it for the long haul - and can continue to grow and come up with songs as good as Tide (which would grace any of The Eagles albums) -may just have what it takes. But it’s a long road to Eden. ***

Review by Pete Whalley

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