May Day
Grand Phony, 2021
9/10
The Wisconsin singer-songwriter Trapper Schoepp adds to his impressive and extensive body of work with this 4th solo album, where topics like ghosts and rebirth as well as springtime and renewal surround his always intriguing brand of rock that showcases his piano skills more prominently.
The title track opens the listen with breezy, warm acoustic strumming as Schoepp’s equally cozy vocals guide the flowing Americana, and “Hotel Astor” follows with firm piano, where the breathy vocals are met with strong electric guitar prowess, giving the tune a rougher edge.
At the halfway point, the gentle “Paris Syndrome” enters ballad territory and is accompanied by emotive pedal steel, while “Little Drop Of Medicine” gets thick, gritty and soars in a folk-rock sort of way. “I Am A Rider”, one of the album’s best, then displays timeless, rootsy songwriting that’s heartfelt and immediately memorable.
The final two tracks, “It Didn’t Take” and “Something About You” are just as excellent as everything else before it, where the former showcases Jacob Bicknase’s fluent drumming amid playful Americana, and the latter exits with keys and pedal steel complementing Schoepp’s expressive, poetic singing.
Inspired by classic artists like Bob Dylan (who actually had a co-write on Schoepp’s last record), May Day was born after Schoepp’s European tour was cancelled due to Covid, which, of course, was devastating, but it sure did allow him the time to make this fantastic album.
Travels well with: The Jayhawks- XOXO; Jesse Malin- Outsiders