B-Flat Earth
Self-Released, 2021
8/10
The Georgia outfit Swamptooth bring us 11 originals on this debut album, where Cory Chambers, Evan Rose, Jay Rudd, Jimmy Wolling and Vito Gutilla showcase their bluegrass influences with much creativity and timelessness.
“Space Base” indeed starts out with a quick black of spacey atmosphere before abruptly shifting into swift bluegrass string plucking that soars with muscular melodies, and “I Lost My Soul” follows with soulful singing and a bouncy spirit of warm, mountain friendly sounds.
Elsewhere, the chunky “Twelve Nights Of Drinking” brings cozy vocal harmonies to the agile song craft, while “The Fictitious Wild West” trims the pace back with strategic banjo amid sublime fiddle in the emotive climate. “Goa”, the longest song at nearly 8 minutes, then benefits from a sitar as much culture and grace enters the dreamy, absorbing delivery.
Approaching the end, the energetic “Only Blue” is the album’s best, where dynamic strings complement Chambers and Rose’s paired voices that emit much beauty, and “That’s The Way It Is” finishes the listen with folk and country ideas weaved into their inimitable formula.
An outfit that began when other bands fell apart during the pandemic, Swamptooth’s cosmic leanings and firm attention to detail make this first album a must for all fans of bluegrass sounds, past and present.
Travels well with: Matt Eckstine- Lil’ Blue; Bruce T. Carroll- First Bird To Sing