400 Bears
Self-Released, 2020
9/10
Although this is the debut album from Paul Wilkinson as 400 Bears, the singer-songwriter and guitarist has 15 years of experience playing with the Mason Porter band, and he brings the bluegrass and folk spirit of that tenure with him on these varied and well thought out 10 tracks.
“Borderline” starts the album with some light ambience as Wilkinson’s warm guitar and inviting vocals enter the folksy, Americana landscape that benefits from Scott Coulter’s organ, and “Memories” follows with a very stylish delivery of agile blues as light percussion complements the spirited guitar work.
At the halfway point, “Cold Situation” is bare display of brushed percussion and acoustic guitar, while “‘80s Mercedes” picks up the pace with plenty of soulfulness as rhythm and grooves enter the infectious climate that will be your body moving. “Small Town”, another excellent track, then offers some country shuffling where guitar and organ acrobatics work together dynamically.
The album exits with “Good Bear” and “Take This Hammer”, where the former recruits some subtle bluegrass influences into the atmospheric instrumental, and the latter puts a dreamy, cautious spin on the traditional that’s complete with Brad Hinton’s lap steel helping to set the mood.
A record that can get twangy and that can also bring a timelessness akin to Bob Dylan, whether it’s unplugged or electric, busy or sparse, Wilkinson and company know their way around a tune you won’t forget anytime soon.
Travels well with: Rick Shea- Love & Desperation; Eric Brace & Last Train Home- Daytime Highs & Overnight Lows