Rearrange My Heart
Free Dirt, 2019
8/10
An outfit spearheaded by Joe Troop, the North Carolina raised artist is well traveled, and eventually settled in Argentina, where he assembled Che Apalache with an all star cast of Latin musicians.
“Saludo Murguero” starts the listen with vocal harmonies in a sparse environment sans instruments, before the stringed acrobatics of “Maria”, where Joe Troop’s strong vocals soar over subtle flamenco stabs.
In the middle, “Rock Of Ages” is banjo fueled fun that parallels the Americana sounds of Nashville, while the playful “The Wall” is just multiple voices in the ultra tuneful highlight. The title track is one of the most moving pieces included, and finds a nice place to reside between folksy, roots sounds and the Latin influence from their homelands.
At the end, “Over In Glory/New Swing” hints at bluegrass fun as melodic vocals guide us through the organic prowess, and “Once Took Me In” finishes the listen with some experimental ideas in the cultured, cautious exit that builds into a busy display of tense beauty.
An extremely well done debut album, you’ll find Japanese folk sounds alongside rural bluegrass and plenty of nods to the Mexican and Argentinian heritage from the band, as Che Apalache deliver socially aware subject matter with their own unique version of gospel.
Travels well with: Old Crow Medicine Show- Remedy; Bela Fleck- Deviation