Sam Amidon - But This Chicken Proved Falsehearted [Birdwar - 2007]Sam Amidon debut album is a real quirky & tuneful treat for the heart and soul- mixing together folk, bluegrass, country, and pop, avant rock- all in a touching and sometimes awkward manner. You imagine when first hearing this duo they come from rural American of rolling fields of crops, grandpa in his rocking chair on the wooden porch, and moonshine stills- but they come from Harlem New York City- clearly somewhere along the way rural wonder & sadness has been sucked well and truly into thier hearts. The album weaves it’s self by with songs about chickens, jeans, working on the railroad, and love lost. All played out with a mix of acoustic guitars, banjo, piano, accordion & drums here and there. They’ve managed to create an album that sounds aged and authentic but also modern and awkward- utilizing genre traits to really carve out their own very distinctive sound and musical place. A wonderful playful, heart string pulling and feel good collection of songs thats always trying to add in inventive and surprising touches to the songs edges. It will bring to your mind visions of creaking one horse towns, autumn coming in over vast green fields, and love lost through work worn hands. Roger Batty
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