American Undertow
MoonLake, 2024
8/10
An effort spearheaded by Brian Turner but that brings in many guests, The Retro Legion pen songs that embrace present and past, love and grief, and living and dying, and pulls from a variety of genres.
“Gasoline Love” opens with Brian Voight’s warm acoustic guitar and Turner’s strategic bass that complements the expressive singing, and “Broken Down Lovers” follows with Bobby Koelble’s spirited guitar and Chantal Thompson’s soulful pipes alongside Turner’s inimitable voice.
Further along, “Wayward Traveler” welcomes Terri Kent’s gorgeous voice and Benjamin Kramer’s strings for the mature and melodic album highlight, while “Monochrome” benefits from Ilyse Kusnetz’s well timed singing amid much mood and sound manipulation.
Deeper yet, “Slow 70s Groove” emits T.R. Hummer’s impressive sax bouts for the rich and indeed groove filled climate, and “The Way It Is” exits with a louder, rock’n’roll fueled delivery that’s populated by Lee Baggett’s guitar, Russ Conrad’s vocals, and an animated rhythm section.
An effort that touches on blues, jazz, folk, rock and soul, Turner and company turn in an authentic and timeless body of work that will certainly age very well.
Travels well with: Karen Haglof- One Hand Up; Kaia Kater- Strange Medicine