By GRAHAM REID
(Herald rating: * * * * )
That territory occupied by the likes of Whiskeytown, Wilco and other alt-countryrockers is getting pretty crowded these days. It seems brooding moodiness delivered over classic downbeat chord changes has a lot of appeal.
Add now, very near the top of that stacked deck,
this stunning debut by the Cash brothers Peter and Andrew.
With a backing band which includes slide guitar and keyboards, they peel off a little Everly Brothers harmonies, effortlessly namecheck Springsteen's Nebraska ("I'm driving so far to forget you ... alone on this dark road listening to Nebraska") and deliver a terrific collection of melancholy pop-rock (the Petty-like Nerve, I Am Waiting could be Matthew Sweet on Mogadon), minimal country-folk (Guitar Strings and Foolish Things), dark brown vocals (Show Me The Reason), and simple songs of great depth.
The Cash boys from Toronto — who also allow a little soaring Britrock to peep through the Americana and generally introverted mood — apparently spent years making albums separately and only joined forces in 91. Much of this album is remixed tracks from those sessions.
The album might have had a long gestation, but it's been well worth the wait. Recommended.
Label: Zoe/Elite
