Sunset Canyoneers
You Are The Cosmos, 2020
9/10
An outfit with an impressive resume that includes time spent playing in Jolly, Red Planet, and The Happy Regrets among others, Jeremy Powers, William Duke, Ian Robertson and John Kontogianis, aka Sunset Canyoneers, breed a very engaging brand of cosmic country folk-rock on this self-titled debut.
“High In The Sky” starts the listen with pedal steel and an upbeat Americana feeling in the ultra melodic opener, and “Alcohol And A Gamblin’ Town” follows with a breezy approach that’s no less memorable in its rootsy fun where the harmonies tip their hat to The Byrds.
In the middle, “Junk #1” delivers a subdued display of mild psychedelia, while “Spirits” soars high amid some folk-rock sensibilities and classic rock ideas that just sounds like California with its soulful, sunny qualities. “Los Angeles”, one of the brightest tunes here, then shimmers with intricate guitar work in a timeless appeal that brings to mind names like Dylan or Petty.
Near the end, “Half Past One” finds the listen in country rock territory with a shuffle you can’t help but move your body to, and “Dontcha Go Talkin’” ends the album with warm acoustic guitar that builds into a sing-along that you can’t help but adore.
Sunset Canyoneers somehow manage to be reminiscent of both Alex Chilton and Jerry Garcia while still being much indebted to country and folk, and it ends up being a remarkable formula that should make plenty of Year End Lists.
Travels well with: The Traveling Wilburys- Vol. 1; Animal Years- Far From Home