Having had its US release at the back end of 2016,
UNDENIABLY COUNTRY by Curtis Grimes is getting aimed at the UK market in the
midst of interesting times. This eight track mini album needs no clues in its
direction and sets out a stall of dogged determination. In 2017 the UK market
is increasingly split between new country pop and progressive Americana, quite
often leaving the straight down the middle explicitness of 90s mainstream
country struggling to find a voice.
You don’t have to look too far from the title to infer that
Grimes is pushing to be a mouth piece for such a voice and there is no holding
back on the values he holds dear. These lean heavily on the traditional side of
the genre, but rather than telling stories, the lyrics set out to re-affirm a culture,
stance and way of life. Familiarities with the staple content of country songs
when Jackson and Strait ruled the roost are aplenty on this record, as is a
desirable soundtrack awash with lashings of fiddle and steel. On several
occasions the modern mainstream is earmarked as enemy number one especially on
the cleverly composed ‘Ten Year Town’.
Grimes leaves you in no doubt where he stands on the subject
of religion, a massive appreciation of Hank Williams and a traditional well
documented song writing view of living in the South. Maybe such an approach
leaves the content open to criticism outside its core, but all the songs are
heartfelt, incredibly well-composed and capture a magical sound that makes
country music an idealist appeal around the world.
Curtis Grimes has been described as a Lone Star troubadour to
reflect his Texas base and calling. You can also imagine these songs
flourishing in live environments around the small town settlements across his
homeland. The aura of this analogy transfers to the recorded format leaving a
potential interaction with an overseas country music fan base that perhaps yearns
for a simpler sound reflecting past associations.
UNDENIABLY COUNTRY opens the
door to a pondering moment for distant nostalgia and totally frames a
soundtrack heavily responsible for seducing fans far and wide.
www.curtisgrimes.com
