From start to finish The Whipsaw’s newest release“60 Watt Avenue”(2007) is a breath of pure country and rock n’ roll air. With this album, the Whipsaws produce a diverse, original, and laid-back sound that grabs the attention of any listener immediately. Blending roots, rock, blues, country, alternative, folk and Americana, their music is of an authentic and in-depth breed of music similar to Drive By Truckers, Uncle Tulepo, Wilco, Ryan Adams and Neil Young. Formed in 2002, the band’s debut album, “Ten Day Blender” (2006) proved popular among fans and critiques. Natives of Alaska, the band recorded their recent release, “60 Watt Avenue” in Anchorage, Alaska. The album was mixed by engineer/producer John Agnello (Sonic Youth, Son Volt, The Hold Steady).
The very catchy, mid-tempo, laid back blues/rock song, “60 Watt” starts the album off with a bang. To follow is, “Jessi Jane,” a lively, fun alternative country/rock blues song that includes nice female harmonies. “Coming Home,” “Stick Around” “High Tide” and “Lonesome Joe” change the feel of the album diving into a slower-paced country/rock, roots/Americana sound, bringing in a thicker piano sound, harmonica, acoustic guitar, banjo and fiddle. Songs like “Sinferno,” and “Bar Scar” move the album back up-speed with an alternative country rock spirit, rougher vocals and heavier guitars. The simplest and most-moving song, “Amsterdam” is an authentic and raw blues/country/folk song that reflects on a former love: “Do you remember we always said we’d get married in Amsterdam? Sounded like a good plan at the time.” This song creates its melancholy feel with a raw acoustic guitar and lonely vocals.
Among its distinct originals, “60 Watt Avenue” includes a well-done cover of the Neil Young song “Mr. Soul,” which takes the original version up-tempo with a heavier guitar sound. The album ends on a country/roots note with “Seven Long Years,” a song that includes steel guitar, a harmonica and country lyrics, “ You got to walk the talk follow your heart, take what you need girl and finish what you start. But I ain’t been drinkin’ for seven long years. I ain’t gonna start cause I ain’t want no tears.”
Vocally “60 Watt Avenue” closely resembles the laid-back, non-intimidating vocals of Jeff Tweedy (Uncle Tulepo/Wilco). Unlike most rock singers today, “60 Watt Avenue” produces vocals that are raw and real; at no point is anyone trying or pushing too hard. Musically this album produces sounds ranging from country twang to folk acoustic to roots rock. Lyrically the album delves into Americana/country themes, such as being on the road, evening bar happenings, reflections on the past, and contemplating the state of everyday life. “60 Watt Avenue” is an original and diverse album that deserves a place in the music collection of any true rock music fan.
MuzikReviews.com Contributor-Erin Bruno
February 7, 2008
