Heavy Ornamentals, the eighth studio album from the legendary alt-country outfit the Gourds, is the perfect companion to standing over a smoky Weber with a cold one in hand on a hot Texas afternoon. The Gourds are the consummate thinking-man's party band, strutting lyrics bordering on the beautifully obtuse and strumming tunes catchy enough to incite a swamp riot.
Hailing from Austin, one of the greatest music cities in the country, the band’s left-of-center approach is lauded by critics and fans all along I-35. The Gourds ability to thrive in this environment for the past eight years is a testament to their appeal. It also doesn’t hurt to have great musicians and songwriters like Kevin Russell, Jimmy Smith and the "stringed assassin" Max Johnston (formerly of Uncle Tupelo and Wilco).
Gourds music is typically characterized by healthy jumbles of Texas country, Americana (non-Nashville country), zydeco, bluegrass, and punk. But I don't want that to scare off the uninitiated. Go to Amazon.com and check out some of the sound clips to get a feel for the band. Then come back here and continue reading.
You back? Good. As you might have guessed, I really like this record. I like it more than my favorite CD of 2005, Jimmie Dale Gilmore’s Come on Back.
Kevin Russell is truly a “twang master”. His vocals on “The Education Song” and “Our Patriarch” is greatness. His voice can not be overrated. Jimmy Smith comes through, too. Though vastly different from Russell, Smith brings a raw “rock & roll” sound to the table. Jimmy’s lyrics, though purported to be a little more serious on this record, can still be just plain absurd.
Take “Collections Getting” as an example:
This here, the difficult third verse. Jolly Joe drink his cappuccino. Jolly Joe drink his cappuccino. Jolly Joe drink his cappuccino.
It’s really hard to describe how much fun this album is to listen to. It appears that one of the most entertaining live bands in Austin has figured out how to transfer all the energy and spontaneity of a live performance into a recording. That’s rare.
Article comments
1 - Sco
I could never get into the original stuff but their covers - especially of Gin and Juice and a David Bowie song - are brilliantly fun to listen to.
2 - wishful
Man, now I want to buy a grill to go with my copy of Heavy Ornamentals! I was completely thrilled to find out that one of The Gourds new July dates is at the best place to see a show in my hometown of Knoxville. Dunno if they've ever played there before, but The Gourds are gonna love the Bijou Theatre.