New twang from the Linemen

Photo by Sara Finke

Photo by Sara Finke

Over the last three years, I’ve spilled enough ink on the Linemen that I’m surprised they’ve ever come clean. But their deceptively untraditional approach to traditional country music (whatever that is) retains the luster of veteran musicianship, the freshness of finely-crafted songwriting and the shine of true feelings—even if the feeling is mostly heartbreak. The band has been around since 2005, fronted by the rich tenor of Kevin Butterfield and featuring guitar and pedal steel from Scott Swartz (not to mention the rhythm work of John Baldus and Greg Lamb), and they’ve released one album, 2007’s superb Through Side One. If you have even a passing affection for country music, you should get it today.

Working mostly in Scott Swartz’s basement studio, the band is set to release its second album, Reconsider, on February 21, with a party that evening at Off Broadway. The album features 10 originals and one cover: Gram Parson’s “Hot Burrito #1.” Guest musicians include Dave Grelle (of the Feed) on piano, Mark Chechik (of Melody Den) on guitar, Jesse Irwin on vocals and Ronnie Bell on B3 organ and Rhodes.

Judging from the sound of “Kansas City,” the first track I’ve heard, the new album will be another keeper.

The Linemen on Myspace

Kansas City

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Posted by Roy Kasten | January 19, 2009 | Local, Music | Comment 

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