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As Americana enjoys a resurgence of popular and
critical visibility, Len's Lounge have re-released their
2000 debut, albeit with a slightly different track
sequence and song selection to capture their
middle-of-the-road roots rock sound.
Mainman Jeff Robertson's greatest strength is his
ability to paint vivid pictures of the small town
American experience -- rustic stretches of highway and
cool steel train tracks act as metaphors for hope,
occupied by unsympathetic protagonists who become
leading men as a result of the lack of any true heroes.
Dark stuff, indeed, but the album has its upbeat moments
("This Train"), at times recalling the sombre pop of the
UK's Tindersticks, but without that group's
sophistication. Clearly, Len's Lounge's roots are in the
school of Americana pioneered by rebels Johnny Cash and
Waylon Jennings. This comparison is most evident on such
tracks as their cover of Guy Clark's "Dublin Blues",
with Robertson's gruff vocals standing in for The Man In
Black.
There really isn't anything to dislike on this
long-player, although I caution those who consider the
contemporary incarnation of this musical tradition to be
typified by the likes of Wilco or the Sid Hillman
Quartet -- Len's Lounge do not write pop songs, nor do
they conform to the rigid structure of conventional
country music. Road Dog and More Train Songs is
something of their own design. -- Mike
Baker
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