Heavy Lifting
Low Heat, 2021
9/10
An outfit spearheaded by Michael Cerveris and Kimberly Kaye, who have a lengthy and complicated relationship in and outside the band, the pair are joined by bandmates Rene Coman (bass), Doug Garrison (drums) and Rurik Nunan (fiddle, vocals), as well as some guests on this charming Americana album.
“Aunt Avis” starts the listen soft and agile, where gentle drumming, aching fiddle and vocals from both Kaye and Cerveris make for a haunting version of Americana, and “Gasoline And Matches” follows with an upbeat display of dance friendly roots rock that benefits much from Nunan’s fiddle acrobatics.
The middle tracks are among the best and include the playful and country influenced “Sidewalk Chicken” that shuffles with a frisky pace, while “Filling Space” enters ballad territory with Kaye’s gorgeous pipes guiding the sublime setting. “Get Downtown” then swaggers with a gritty rock’n’roll spirit that will get your body moving to the timeless, rural melodies.
Landing near the end, “He’s Old She’s High” displays Jon Graboff’s pedal steel prowess amid classic country sensibilities, and “F*ck You Jolene” exits the listen with a clever take on the Dolly Parton classic where the band use original lyrics alongside their own to make for an interpretation you won’t forget.
A listen rugged enough for the alt-country crowd and pretty enough for those with an ear for traditional country ideas, Heavy Lifting is all substance and no filler as Loose Cattle make an indelible impact with their top notch song craft.
Travels well with: Craig Cummings- The Gulf Between Us; Steve Earle & The Dukes- Ghosts Of West Virginia