Bound For Heartache
Horton, 2023
9/10
The blue collar storyteller Joey Frendo makes quite an impression with this debut album, where a soulful, jangly and twang friendly version of alt-country takes company from some very skilled players for the 10 tracks.
“Get What You Get” opens the listen with Frendo’s distinct, warm voice alongside Philippe Bronchtein’s fluid organ and the scrappy drums for the rootsy flavor, and “Fool Hearted Woman” follows with frisky keys, aching pedal steel and plenty of rural melodies.
The middle track belongs to the shuffling, dance floor ready “Sad State Of Affairs”, where Fats Kaplan’s animated fiddle is quite intriguing, while “High And Tight” is a more intimate moment of poetic, emotive singing from Frendo amid Mallory Eagle’s stirring harmony vocals and Jason Weinheimer’s agile bass playing.
Residing close to the end, “Nothing Wrong With Silver” emits a cozy energy of timeless country rock, and “Building On Quicksand” exits with a barroom, piano led climate of rhythmic adventure.
Frendo possesses a sage like quality, and his songs are as sincere as they are memorable. Bound For Heartache should easily strike a chord with anyone who appreciates the universal truths of folk, country, roots and Americana.
Travels well with: JD Darling- Looking Forward Thinking Back; William Payne Harrison- Tioga Titan