Mining Co - Frontier
by Steve Kinrade
published: 27 / 11 / 2019
Label:
Mining Co
Format: CD
intro
Melancholic but compelling Americana on third album from the Mining Co., the project of singer-songwriter Michael Gallagher
‘Frontier’ is the third album from the Michael Gallagher fronted the Mining Co. Aided by the ensemble talents of Paco Loco, (Production, Mix), Jesus Cabral Herrera (bass), Karlos Arancegui, (drums and percussion) and pedal steel player Greg Holme, ‘Frontier’ is a confident, if melancholic, musical offering. Gallagher has a soothing, mournful quality to his voice which would take an eon to be bored of - it is a thing of beauty. The album shapes up to be one of two halves, production wise. The first four tracks are more than musically pleasant to the ear, but sonically revisits what the “genre” would be expected to deliver. So when the track ‘Frontier’ appears, we are now in new production territory. A new frontier is being passed, a rubicon crossed. It’s sparse and atmospheric. Close your eyes and Gallagher sits beside you, an alchemist of emotion, leading you in…”come a little closer, tonight…”. It reminded me of the work of producer Steve Nye with David Sylvian, and that is high praise indeed. And it gets better. ‘Hold On’ has a great easy groove, that Gallagher effortlessly moulds to his melodic will. The keyboard work on ‘The Promised Land’ evokes The Band’s Garth Hudson. ‘Ring of Fire’ benefits from a great arrangement that takes you to another emotional frontier. This is an album that really does need to be taken seriously, and will never be a candidate for “Americana landfill”. Seriously, check it out.
Track Listing:-
1 Mexico Alone2 Lost
3 Take Your Chances
4 Empty Row
5 Frontier
6 Hold On
7 The Promise Land
8 Broken Wing
9 Rollercoaster Kisses
10 Honolulu Girl
11 River of Fire
12 Diggin' It All
Band Links:-
https://en-gb.facebook.com/theminingcoband/https://theminingco.bandcamp.com/releases
https://twitter.com/themining_co
https://www.instagram.com/themining_co/
soundcloud
reviews |
Mountain Fires (2017) |
Atmospheric and melancholic country-hued Americana on sophomore album from London-based the Mining Co. |
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart