Jumping off the country bandwagon
New albums by Yarn and Swamp Rat re-energize older genres

By Jeff Eason

With the recent release by Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, Cardinology, it is high time to recognize the amazing influence of Adams’ Raleigh-based band Whiskeytown. Although Whiskeytown only released three full-length albums, Faithless Street, Pneumonia, and the stellar Stranger’s Almanac, those discs and assorted live recordings floating around in cyberspace and in cassette decks have cemented Whiskeytown’s place in Americana history.

Two new albums hitting the stores this fall have Whiskeytown’s fingerprints all over them, and while neither is a flat-out tribute, both continue in Whiskeytown’s tradition in the creation of blues-soaked country music with a little punk rock edge.

Yarn: Empty Pockets

Brooklyn. That’s not exactly the first place you’d pick when looking some good country music. It is, however, the hometown of the young quintet Yarn.

An offshoot of guitarist and vocalist Blake Christiana’s longtime electric jam-band, Blake & the Family Dog, Yarn is has a languid acoustic country sound magnified by the tasty use of mandolin, fiddle, banjo and pedal steel. Christiana’s smooth and expressive vocals have earned comparisons to Lyle Lovett, Chris Isaak, Ryan Adams and even Jerry Garcia.

Joining Christiana in Yarn is Trevor Macarthur on guitar and vocals, Andrew Hendryx on mandolin and harmonica, Rick Bugel on bass and Jay Frederick on drums.

Did I previously mention Yarn’s sonic lineage to Whiskeytown? The new disc has a distinctly casual Whiskeytown feel to it and even includes vocals and fiddle contributions from Whiskeytown’s Caitlin Cary on the sultry and slow “5 Guitars.” Empty Pockets also gets help from guest musicians Edie Brickell, bluegrass and rock fiddle wizard Casey Driessen of the Sparrow Quintet, and veteran banjo player Tony Trischka.

Empty Pockets is a fantastic collection of new original songs written by Christiana with some contributions from fellow songwriter Shane Spaulding. The styles vary from the Kristofferson-esque title track to waltz-y blues of “I’m Down” to the brisk ballad “You Don’t Love Me Anymore.” All of them are anchored by Christiana’s pleasing twang and some downright excellent playing.

“We’re not trying to say anything too deep,” said Christiana of the new collection of songs. “Though maybe some are deeper than others. Mainly, these are just some easy-to-swallow songs. We mean to entertain people.”

Empty Pockets is recommended for fans of Railroad Earth, the Biscuit Burners and Chatham County Line. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/brooklynyarn.

Swamp Rat

Combine the heavy Texas-soaked power trio sound of early Z.Z. Top with the wildness of guit-steel slinger Junior Brown and throw in some swing and world rhythms, and you’ll start to understand the musical philosophy of Swamp Rat. While the band’s sound is nothing like Whiskeytown, it is as every bit as adventurous and eclectic as Ryan’s Raleigh band…and just as country, in a weird sort of way.

Three seasoned session musicians from Louisiana formed the rhythm section of the band Howard Shaft then later performed as Tracy Byrd’s touring band before forming Swamp Rat. In November the band released its self-titled debut album.

Swamp Rat is made up of Dan Cohen on guitar, banjo and vocals, James Cook on bass and backing vocals, and Derek Mixon on drums. For the debut album, the core trio enlists help from musical guests Sam Bush on mandolin, Tracy Byrd on vocals, Johnny Neel on vocals and keyboards, Steve Wariner on vocals and electric guitar, Johnny Lee Carpenter on fiddle and mandolin, Max Abrams on saxophone, Kevin Adams on piano and Paul Deakin on vibes.

The 12 original tunes on the new album are mostly timeless instrumental numbers that touch on surf music, Texas swing, Klezmer and other offbeat styles. This is clearly music for musicians who like to have as much fun as their audiences. Cohen loves to show off his chops as a guitarist and some of his licks are jaw-droppingly snappy. One reviewer described Cohen’s guitar sound on the track “Back on the Farm” as “something that sounds like Jeff Beck stuck his chocolate in Bob Wills’ peanut butter.”

While the vocal tracks are few, one of the standout tracks on the new album is “Better Let Go” featuring the pipes of Johnny Neel. With a slow-burning blues beat and swirling organs, the cut is the soulful closer to one of the best albums of 2008.

Swamp Rat’s debut album should appeal to fans of Asleep at the Wheel, Los Straitjackets and the Flecktones early albums. The album is available on the Weston Boys label. For more information, visit www.westonboys.com.