Soo Line Loons
Quit Your Day Job, 2021
8/10
The very diverse Minneapolis outfit Soo Line Loons return with a 3rd album, where frontman Grant Glad steers the band in and out of a very charming brand of Americana that also rubs elbows with folk, rock, punk, jam and many other playful and sophisticated ideas.
“Old Mill” starts the listen with much warmth and atmosphere as fluent strings complement Glad’s expressive singing in the unique Americana climate, and this creativity extends to the swift, rurual playfulness of “Been A Long Winter”, where spirited harmonica from Matthew Fox and banjo from Erik Loftgaarden don’t disappoint,
In the middle, “Die Young” places some jazz nods into a very energetic, groove friendly delivery, while “Funktry” finds a soulful place to reside amid glowing keys and a frisky pulse. “What They Don’t Tell You” is then a more straightforward folksy strummer that benefits from piano and some twangy guitar.
“Hope” and “Amen” finish the listen, where the former glides swiftly with lively roots dynamics and will get your body moving to the sing-alongs while appreciating Charlie Parr’s slide guitar, and the latter adds a dreamy appeal as Kristi Hatterschide’s violin provides much beauty to the emotive and poetic conclusion.
Further proof that Minneapolis is full of thriving Americana outfits, too, put Soo Line Loons on a list with The Jayhawks and Golden Smog as primarily unplugged bands that should be in your rotation as they reach a career highlight on this collaborative and very well thought out affair.
Travels well with: The Jayhawks- XOXO; The Long Ryders- Psychedelic Country Soul