49 Winchester : " Leavin This Holler"

This Virginia-based band plays a traditional style of country. The opening track is a little more upbeat than what I normally listen to, but it's well done so I am open to checking the rest of the album out. It's really well produced as all the instrumentation fits in the lush mix. Lyrically the outlook is pretty bright so I am waiting for all the Drink It Up to go south and hear songs about alcoholism. "Hillbilly Happy" is sure to make line dancers do some boot-scootin'. These songs are well written, though perhaps not with the depth of a Tyler Childers. The guitar playing is pretty solid for what this is. You can tell they have polished their chops live, as they carry a jammed sound to the arrangements. Almost bordering on Southern Rock, as they would not be out of place opening up for the Black Crowes. 

"Yearnin For You " is another song that is bound to kick up some sawdust.  Another case where this vibe might not be my thing, but I can appreciate what they are doing here. "Make It Count" is a little more grounded. They manage to keep an upbeat attitude even when they are lamenting the ills of society. Their view is they just hustle and play music as they are not getting any younger. The title track gets more soulfully introspective and this puts them closer to what I normally listen to when it comes to country. This is the best song so far. There is a cool guitar solo that does not hog the spotlight at the end. "Fast Asleep" is also a stellar song, Very dynamic, and perfectly written the verses are picked with acoustic then they crank for for the choruses. 

"Tulsa" finds them hitting their stride it's more purposeful with a blues streak running through it. The lyrics are about getting busted for weed. Another effective guitar solo busts out of this one. Perhaps the weed is the x-factor that makes their songwriting more thoughtful. "Rest of My Days' has a more Southern Rock feel. Riff wise it's not unlike Lynrd Skynrds mellower moment though with a slight pop tinge to the vocals. "Travelling Band" finds them more upbeat, but not trying to get you to line dance, the southern rock thing still lingering in the guitar playing. He is singing about missing life at home while on the road, but they are pretty stoked to be playing about it. 

"Anchor' finds the mood breaking down a bit. It's soulfully introspective. It hits almost like a power ballad, in the way it builds. I like the more laid-back mid-range his voice drops into in this one, it shows more range than when he is gleefully belting it out and having a good time. The rock things out more at the end of the song giving it a dynamic build. This album took a turn and surprised me. There is great guitar playing and singing on it. I will give this one a 9.5.

pst492