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Forever Goldrush | Halo in My Backpack

Sonic delights from the New West.
CD, Cargo

Tekst: Doug Waterman

Publicatiedatum: 08 mei 2001

I immediately garnered a liking to this band when I heard that singer/songwriter Ryan Adams was interested in producing their next album. They evidently tore things up in Austin, Texas, at this year's SXSW Festival and caught a lot of people's attention. I encouraged myself to pick up the album. It was well worth it.
Founded in Sacramento, CA, only three years ago, Forever Goldrush has played with acclaimed acts such as Neko Case, the Backsliders, Mother Hips, and Train. They won two Sacramento Area Music Awards (SAMMIES), one for "Best New Band" in 1999, and one in 2000 for "Album of the Year." Forever Goldrush capture a sound on their new album that glows with a sense of the "New West". All four band members grew up together 60 miles southeast of Sacramento in Amador County, right in the heart of the old goldrush country. The music flows at times like the rugged mountain landscape, and other times it mystically unfolds with an eclectic rural sound. The band undoubtedly draw on old country and folk influences, as well as an assortment of classic rock guitar riffs.
The new release 'Halo in my Backpack' is definitely a step in the right direction. Its production quality far surpasses that of their debut album 'Unknown Territory', which is characterized more by an acoustic folk sound with the use of traditional country music instruments. Nevertheless, 'Halo in my Backpack' is a genuine artistic assortment of songs that I expect will reach a broader audience. The first track on the album, 'Vicious Ways', gets things started out with a rolling rock progression, exalted by Josh Lacey's cutting guitar riffs and solos, very similar to those of Neil Young during his electric periods. In 'In my Rebuilding' we begin to hear just how mysterious and innovative the vocals of lead singer Damon Wyckoff are. In a tonal quality somewhat like Eddie Vedder, he sings: "I found you in my rebuilding year/Come to find you was rebuilding too/You took my bitch of a heart into your arms/And we're drifting away at last." The seventh tune on the album, 'In the Graveyard', is a witty, self-pitying honk-tonk that features some creative work on the pedal steel. 'Brothers Give Me Arms', probably my favourite track on the album, is an all-out rock'n'roll gem that is highlighted by a bridge version of the Beatles' 'Octopus' Garden' intro. The final track, called 'The Bitter End', is a vocally-emphasized, brooding number with high pitches of the pedal steel and Wurlitzer droning in the distance.
Forever Goldrush muster up a sound that is very distinctive on 'Halo in my Backpack'. Their influences run deep, and their musical spirit soars high on this powerful collection of songs. Working with musicians like Ryan Adams in the near future will only serve to heighten their artistry and sound production.

http://www.kindamuzik.net/recensie/forever-goldrush/halo-in-my-backpack/120/
Meer Forever Goldrush op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/forever-goldrush