Safe House
Self-Released, 2022
9/10
The veteran duo Trout Fishing In America, i.e. Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet, return with their 25th album, where a healthy amount of humor and inspiration is present, and their mandatory break from touring during the pandemic allowed the pair to expand off their already diverse song craft.
The title track opens the listen with energetic strumming and Ezra’s rhythm guitar and harmony vocals adding much melody to the bright folk-rock, and “Knock Me Down” follows with Keith’s playful bass and Ezra’s infectious drumming making for a retro-rock spirited track.
Deeper into the listen, “We Have Not Arrived” welcomes bongos, udu and a shaker to the cultured climate, while “Barbed Wire Boys” offers gorgeous acoustic guitar alongside Ezra’s poetic storytelling for a calmer album highlight. “I Love My Baby”, another excellent track, then shakes and bounces with a dance floor ready appeal.
Further yet, “We’ll Always Have Ardmore” brings Keith’s upright bass and heckling to a charming and funny exchange, and “Looking At A Rainbow” exits the listen with sublime acoustic guitar in the expressive and uplifting finish.
Keith and Ezra cut their teeth in the Houston outfit St. Elmo’s Fire many decades ago, and have enjoyed a lengthy and esteemed career as Trout Fishing In America. No strangers to rock, jazz, funk, bluegrass and swing, there’s even a pair of covers to be found across these joyful and infectious stories.
Travels well with: Randy Kaplan- Shake It And Break It; John McCutcheon- Bucket List