New Year, Old Me
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
A Denver band with an affinity for memorable riffs, dual harmonies and plenty of slide guitar and pedal steel, Shea Boynton (vocals, guitar, banjo), Troy Scoope (bass), Ben Richter (drums) and Brad Johnson (guitar, vocals), i.e. The Barlow, make their own brand of mountain-high Colorado country.
“Mile Marker Blues” gets the listen off to a twang friendly start with the warm guitar and smooth yet gritty singing making for a timeless country climate, and “Josephine” follows with a thicker presence of rugged Americana that’s quite melodic.
The title track sits at the half way spot, and moves swiftly with thumping drums and a scrappy appeal that takes nods to punk, while “Tarred” remains calm, intimate and with stirring pedal steel thanks to Ben Waligoske.
“Without Emotion” and “Shut It Down” exit the listen, where the former is a bit more firm with southern rock ideas front and center, and the latter displays lush melodies and an infectious, rootsy flavor that you can’t help but enjoy.
Put The Barlow on a list with legends like Drag The River as rugged country music from Colorado that still retains plenty of punk grit, but could soundtrack a trip to the mountains, too.
Travels well with: David Quinn- Country Fresh; Vandoliers- Forever