Come A Reckoning
Self-Released, 2022
9/10
An alt-country outfit from Portland, Oregon, The Stubborn Lovers are comprised of Mandy Allen (vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion), Jenny Taylor (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Pearl (drums, percussion, backing vocals), but they also welcome plenty of guests to these rootsy, outlaw, country fueled tracks.
“Counting Feathers On A Sparrow’s Wing” opens the listen with Todd Melton’s spirited electric guitar and Robin Suskind’s warm pedal steel adding much energy to the brisk roots rock, and “You Take Tacoma, I’ll Take My Chances” follows with gorgeous and melodic Americana that’s so well done, it alone is worth the price of admission.
Elsewhere, “Right” places Antar Goodwin on slide guitar for the rugged yet tuneful landscape that’s got a bit of soul to it, while “Ghost Train” employs well timed backing vocals for the crisp and charming alt-country that emits much grit, too.
Arriving near the end, “Devil Take My Heart” finds itself in calmer areas by way of the intimate, even dreamy textures that incorporates Dylan Rieck’s cello, and “Cottonwood Run” exits the listen with Jake Blount’s harmonica adding much to the cautious yet adventurous layers.
For fans of roots, Americana, country and even jam band ideas, it just doesn’t get much better than this, and I find it very unlikely you could spend any time with these 9 tracks and not call yourself a fan.
Travels well with: Kenny Shore- Time Stands Still; James Houlahan- Beyond The Borders