Dyin’ For Easy Livin’
Western Myth, 2021
8/10
Listen to Dyin’ For Easy Livin’
Although they hail from Chicago, Wild Earp and his band certainly sound they should be riding horses along a dusty gravel road, as their classic country and cowboy rock formula spreads out across 12 very unpredictable and exciting tracks.
“Ain’t It A Shame (When Your Horse Goes Lame)” starts the listen swiftly, where energetic country rock and soothing, backing female vocals as Felipe Tobar’s agile fiddle complements the radiant opener, and “Livin’ The Life” follows with Alan Maniacek’s precise drumming anchoring the swingin’ fun.
Closer to the middle, “Ain’t Nobody’s Business But My Own” showcases Sweet Sassy Molassey’s lovely pipes amid an upbeat and infectious honky tonk climate, while “Big Mistake On Daddy’s Dime” gets a bit gritty with Jed Taylor’s spirited guitar work highlighting the southern rock atmosphere that welcomes pedal steel from Robert Daniels. “Playin’ With House Money”, another superb track, then puts Taylor on vocals alongside a busy, rural rocker that you could dance to or that might even incite a bar room brawl.
The last two tracks don’t disappoint either, as Sweet Sassy Molassey takes the lead on the sublime “Two ‘Til Midnight” alongside Brian Wilkie’s pedal steel, and “I Wanna Go” exits the listen on a playful yet cautious alt-country setting that’s universally enjoyable.
Earp and company are nothing if not a good time, and whether you’re looking to go line dancing, drown your sorrows or just want to be enamored with some timeless, country tinted, indie-rock, you won’t be disappointed here.
Travels well with: Annie Keating- Bristol County Tides; Ted Russell Kamp- Solitaire