The Outlaw Orchestra - Pantomime Villains

Album review by; Mark

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I'll start this review with what might be a strange admission - bluegrass and Dixie inspired southern rock is not really my thing. There, I've said it. So why am I reviewing an album by a group who proclaim their style is southern country rock and bluegrass and everything in between? Quite simply, having seen the band play live back in March 2019 they have been a go to band when I want to listen to something upbeat and guaranteed to make me smile.

 

So with their three track single, The Devil Made Me Do It and their 2019 EP, God Knows being on regular rotation in my cds to listen to I jumped at the chance to hear their debut album, Pantomime Villains, which is due for release on 29th May. And boy was I glad I got to hear this, as it's a musical journey through Americana which exceeded all my expectations.

 

The album opens with Take A Bow, a nice up tempo piece of bluegrass which highlights the musical talents of all of the band. All of the components complement each other and the guitar and banjo work hand in hand – no duelling stringed instruments here!

 

We are then introduced to the gastronomic delicacies of Chicken Fried Snake. This is an instant foot tapping track and a song which definitely has the potential to be a crowd pleaser at a live gig with its driving beat. The high tempo is then maintained with Hanging Tree where the banjo from Pete Briley really comes into its own. A fine example of progressive bluegrass.

 

They then takes us to classic blues rock with Whiskey Drinking Liar. In its own right this is a good song, but seems to lack the irreverence and quirkiness of the other tracks on the album.

 

At the midpoint of the album we have Arabia, another bluegrass style track. Which other band could incorporate the lyric "where's my camel when I need one?" and not sound like a comedy act? The more I listen to this track the more I detect a Rolling Stones influence.

 

The next stop on this musical journey is Jumpin Jive which has all the hallmarks of a classic rock and roll track - add a piano in and this could be straight out from Jerry Lee Lewis. Again, showing yet more influences the guitar solo mid track is reminiscent of an upbeat Jessica by The Allman Brothers.

 

The pace is then brought back down with It Happened Again. A modern country tale that every guitar player will appreciate which leaves you feeling sorry for Dave Rouxs’ hungry cat.

 

Because the album hasn't demonstrated enough influences Voodoo Queen brings in a Latin swing feel. This starts off as a slow track but builds into a crashing crescendo. This is one of those tracks where I would love to see it played live as it creates so much energy at the end.

 

We are then taken from Latin America to the southern states of the US with Too Much Willie Nelson. This is a solid southern rock track with the irreverent theme and lyrics that are the staple of this album.

 

The album finishes with Send Some Whiskey Home, a classic rock style with long drawn out emotive notes. The additional vocals from Trish Burke from Long Beach California add extra depth and another dimension which lifts the song to another level.  This is a great way to end the album, giving the listener some breathing space having been on such a roller coaster of styles and tempos.

 

The vocals from Dave Roux are crystal clear and the lyrics contain all of these themes that you'd expect from the deep south, although possibly not Southampton. The guitar and banjo work hand in hand and at no point does it feel like either is vying for sole attention. The drumming from Ryan Smith belies a range of influences from big band to jazz to classic 60’s rock and roll and yet manages to compliment the music in every song without ever over powering or dominating. My only minor moan would be that I would have liked the double bass from Alex Barter to have been a little more obvious, but then I’m the music fan who looks forward to hearing a good bass solo.  If you've listed to "God Knows We Tried" then you'll know that these guys are capable of spanning different genres and this album takes the musicianship of that EP and raises the stakes to a higher level.

 

With all these mixed influences and styles it would be very easy for this album to sound like just a random collection of songs, yet The Outlaw Orchestra have somehow managed to produce an album which hangs together superbly and which seems to flow quite naturally. None of the songs seem out of place and all of them do a great job in telling a story. There is no filler on this album and every song deserves its place.

 

This is not an album for a musical purist, but is one for anyone who enjoys listening to styles which all influence the rock scene - I defy anyone to listen to this album and not tap their feet, head or hands. None of the songs attempt to answer the deep philosophical questions in life but every track will raise a smile

 

A solid 4 out of 5

 

The Outlaw Orchestra are;

 David Roux on guitars and lead vocals

Ryan Smith on drums, percussion and vocals

Alex Barter on double bass and vocals and

Pete Briley on banjo, lap steel and vocals

 

Website: https://www.theoutlaworchestra.com/
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