Take a trip to a new side of alternative country, complete with eclectic instruments, refreshing exuberance, a contemporary groove and the thrill of rustic excitement.
Stoney Joe don't just breath in the magic of unpredictability - they devour it, leaving a warmth and touching satisfaction for any listener. There's an unbelievable amount of experimentation on their Hot Jerky album, and is a stark contrast to the much blander, formulaic country music that is familiar to many people. There are beat loops and SH-101 Synthesizers playing alongside moonshine vocals and fingerpicking guitars. You could class it as an electronic folk album, and there is certainly a great emphasis on songwriting and textures.
The synthesizers are certainly prevalent on 'Stars, Moons and Seas', and add an effective accompaniment to the acoustics and vocals. 'Kalamunda Hills' features a dominant bubble-sounding, wobble board beat that creates a perfect groove and eclectic blend to the rest of the toe-tapping country mix. 'Ringing Bell' gradually builds in texture and depth, with some very driven beats.
Although not all the music is radical. Once the electronic sounds are minimal or not included, tracks like 'Cold Morning' and 'Big Blue World' are fairly middle-of the-road country. It's a not a huge criticism, but it does take the music into fairly average territory, indulging a novelty in electronics but not having it as a dominant main component.
However, this album certainly takes you by surprise and challenges prejudices directed at country music. With this album there is an intent to innovate, although this sounds like a transitional album rather than a fully realized one.
Rating - 7/10
http://headrecords.bandcamp.com/album/hot-jerky
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