Album review: JEB BARRY AND THE PAWN SHOP SAINTS – texas, etc…

Dolly Rocker Recordings [Release date 27.04.18]

Upbeat isn’t a word you ‘d associate with this gritty, lo-fi debut release from Jeb Berry And The Pawn Shop Saints – a sparse acoustic-based set focusing on the darker side of life from the Berkshire Hills of New England.

But there’s something beguiling about the understated delivery that, with repeated plays, works its way below the skin and – before you know it – begins to feel like an old friend.

Spread over two discs – The Sainted, and The Saintless (although the generous 19 songs would have fitted, with room to spare, on a single disc) represent a split between full band arrangements and sparse, mostly solo songs. Although, frankly, not even the ‘rough and tumble’ acoustic driven ‘hard-dirt Americana” of the ‘full band’ The Sainted is exactly sonically over-populated.

And that’s the attraction of this low key, minimalist, release. Every word, every note, every whisper, is exposed. And to stand that level of scrutiny unscathed requires some substance. So when Jeb whispers that he ‘woke up in a ditch, alone’ – you’re there, hungover, but inexplicably filled with hope.

Strangely addictive, and perfect for a ‘feet up’ late night listen in the La-Z-Boy. Preferably, with a large glass of Bourbon. ****

Review by Pete Whalley

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)