Wax Trax, Part 2
In the interest of once again shamelessly promoting one of my favourite new artists of the last several years, this week’s vinyl spotlight is shining heavily on Austin Lucas.
I’ve featured Mr. Lucas several times before since first hearing his latest LP, Putting The Hammer Down. He’s primarily an incredible vocalist, a great guitarist, and has really tapped into a unique “roots” sound. Up to this point that’s had a great deal to do with his father Bob, a life-long country musician and gifted arranger and instrumentalist.
On his latest 10″ vinyl-only release, At War With The Freak Folk, Lucas steps up to the mic for a truly solo effort; the six songs were recorded in live one-takes, just him and the microphone. Most of his previous releases haven’t exactly been choked with excessive instrumentation, but this presentation really leaves it all laid bare, unflinchingly exposing his songwriting to the listener.
Like his other records, there are faster-paced songs that have a bit of bounce, paeans to departing lovers, countered by excruciatingly slow and pained minor-chord treatises on heartbreak. But the stark presentation shows the seemingly effortless grace that Lucas pulls it off with. He’s proving himself to be a prolific songwriter, and even better than that a prolific songwriter that doesn’t skimp on the quality of his compositions.
Here’s a demo version of the first track (which is really kind of redundant, considering the nature of the final product) and the first track from the b-side. Please pick this business up, you will be won over if you aren’t among the converted already.
Austin Lucas - Go West (demo) [4:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Austin Lucas - She Did [3:49m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadAt War With Freak Folk can be found here. Other material can as well. Also from itunes.
