Monday 11 November 2013

Review: Vultan and the Hawkmen – Es Que Asi Es


Vultan and the Hawkmen – Es Que Asi Es (Down Stares Studio)
On one of Vultan and the Hawkmen’s webpages, it helpfully explains: “Vultan and the Hawkmen is Liam Flanagan and Liam Flanagan is Vultan and the Hawkmen”. Flanagan operates the Down Stares Recording Studio in Portland, Oregon, so other musicians are often enlisted for his own projects. For “Es Que Asi Es” he was intent on recording some country music, so he approached David Rives Curtright to play guitar, together with honoury Hawkmen, Elise Helms, Kelly Bauman and Matt Rhunland.

I should mention that Flanagan’s raw take on country music will probably get the execs on Nashville’s music row running to the hills in fear and loathing. There’s absolutely nothing here to suggest future duets with Kacey Musgraves or Taylor Swift, and The Grand Ol’ Opry will not be issuing an invite to perform anytime soon. Instead “Es Que Asi Es” is the sort of alt. county record that might have been released on Bloodshot Records or East Side Digital back in the genre’s heyday, and there’s plenty here to be enjoyed, for those who like their Americana played with rough edges and a knowing smile.

Flanagan and his group take inspiration from some of the greats, including Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and the Louvins, and then add their own twist. Opening cut “I Don't Like You” provides a perfect launch, it’s lurching rhythm falling somewhere between art-school Terry Allen and the Stones circa “Beggars Banquet”. “Meals” is equally off-kilter, with Curtright’s stuttering guitar taking a less conventional route, and the excellent “Whiskey and Women” surely deserves to be a hit - I’m just not sure where…
Phil S.


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