For a slice of unabated DIY rock 'n' roll with all the Americana trappings, look no further than the raw unfiltered yet wholly authentic sound of The Burner Band. They are now the proud creators of a sleek and snappy full length album that brings the passion of a small back room lively pub venue to a widescreen format. SIGNS AND WONDERS reels off eleven sharp numbers in little under half an hour by drawing on plenty of rhythmic dynamism alongside banjo, pedal steel, conventional guitars and the odd blast of harmonica. The pace is lively and the largely co-written songs from band brothers Lewis and Ian Burner stop off at topics such as mental health, murder and the much derided Sun newspaper in the city of Liverpool.
From the off, the band lock into an uptempo channel with opening track 'Blues Came In' acting as an conduit on a number of platforms including the promotional video and doing that job wonderfully. The iconic rock 'n' roll song title word appears in the final stages of the album and 'Too Much Blues' is one of the tracks that lodges in the brain, even if there is a tendency for new ears to mishear blues for booze! This latter song opens as one straight outta Memphis before settling in any sounds of the suburbs setting from this side of the pond.
There is a symmetry between English punk and its milder offshoots with the rougher side of Americana that melds country roots, rockabilly and bluegrass. Across such a bridging line sits acts such as The Burner Band and 'Don't Have to Listen' is one of the tracks to supplement this view. This leans to the English side whereas any dictated by pedal steel such as album closer and title track 'Signs and Wonders' courts Stateside connotations.
There is a whole feel good aura around The Burner Band and you sense that any vibrant music scene requires acts like these ripping it up at the coalface. SIGNS AND WONDERS moves the dial along in as much as their music travels a little wider and that is not such a bad thing. Landing on your device, this album will create a little crevice filled perfectly for those moments when a half hour is free for some rip roaring roots music from an act no doubt chuffed to play a part.