Good things happen to those who wait and are able to capitalise on good fortune. Asheville-based band Town Mountain have certainly done the hard yards over the last fifteen years and now a timely boost is in order after being picked up by influential label New West Records. The result is their music getting a wider reach and LINES IN THE LEVEE will increase traction with an international focus. If Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson can blast out of genre confines into cool quarters in far away lands, there is no reason why TOWN MOUNTAIN can't follow suit and bring their take on country and Americana music into an alternative realm. Just two more associated name checks before digging deeper into this gem suggests that you wouldn't be far off describing the sound of Town Mountain as flourishing on the fault line where Old Crow Medicine Show meets an unpolished Zac Brown.
Coming from deepest North Carolina helps frame the southern sentiment that runs through the pores of this six-piece outfit taking their name from a point of origin just outside Asheville. The musicality running through this progressive outpost will have played its part culminating in a moment where the latest album arrives at new doors. LINES IN THE LEVEE is an eleven-track/forty-five minute extravaganza of roots music spectacularly driven by fiddle, banjo and mandolin. Country roughened vocals meet the adventurous musicianship head on and the band deliver strong songs, both in a raucous pace and sedater offerings.
You would have to assume that Town Mountain are a red hot live outfit. Among the springy numbers that go a long way to defining the record they have tossed in a good ole singalong in 'Daydream Quarantina', an alcohol-free 'drinking song' if you grasp the irony. Joining this track in the quieter quartile of the record is the acoustically strummed opening to a finale where things get quite philosophical in 'Lean into the Blue'. Another of the gentler moments is 'Rene' with a fainter banjo and fiddle adorning the soundtrack. For a more upbeat stance look no further than the scene setting title track leading things off. 'Lines in the Levee' goes a long way to representing the album that parades its name.
The instrumental input plays a significant role in this album resonating strongly and although the sound is not prominent, a touch of steel infiltrates the penultimate track 'American Family'. Earlier in the record 'Firebound Road' has neat multiple mandolin segments to supplement a general rocking feel to the track. Certainly one to get the feet tapping. The catchy chorus attached to 'Distant Line' is drenched in southern country imagery and made early inroads into being one of the standouts. Another clearly defined to be a flagship track is the anthem qualities plastered all across 'Comeback Kid', an action packed number designed to keep things rolling along after the statement making opener.
Of the three remaining tracks 'Big Decisions' is the pick based on its infectious tempo switch midway through and epitomising how well the excellent instrumental inclusion has been implemented. A fervent chorus helps as well. 'Unsung Heroes' requires little explanation to its theme and is maybe caught between the two stools of the pacy efforts and the slower numbers with more of an anthem feel. 'Season's Don't Change' seals the Old Crow association earlier indicated. A good solid track utilising fiddle, banjo et al.
LINES IN THE LEVEE never leaves its quickly ascended pedestal or twangy exterior. There are moments to let your hair down and others where the gang command a fully concentrated attention. Town Mountain have barged their way into the established quarters of cool country-Americana. A place they have been probably been all their life, but then again we know that life doesn't always act sensibly and rationally. A sensible and rational choice now would be to support this band to grow, especially as an international act.