From the thoughtful lyrics to the thickly layered instrumentation
-- decorated with high-arching electric guitar solos and rocking
riffs -- West Texas Sky is, technically, a very tight album.
Trevor Dye, Free Magazine West Texas Sky
Descended of a genre made famous by the likes of Johnny Cash,
Blue Ringer's altCountry album West Texas Sky serves
as both an appreciative nod to long time fans and a breath
of fresh tunes for listeners born in the digital music era.
Blue Ringer's ability to develop the classic rock sound with
such an acute influence of olden country feel (the authentic
stuff long before the degradation known as Pop-Country) is
something accomplished by few beyond the aforementioned Cash
and Steve Earle.
The Washington-based rock quartet was reassembled for their
2008 release by original members Craig Brown (guitar, vocals)
and Mike Mallon (harmonica). Deb Brown (bass) and Stevie
Adamek (drummer, producer) were added along with Patrick Storedahl
(keys, guitar, vocals) to create an impressive full band line-up.
After extensive touring and radio play, the band has rapidly
earned prominence in the Pacific northwest and parts of Canada.
In other circles, however, Adamek may be the band's
most well known figure from his history with groups like the
Allies and Big Horn and production work with Left Hand Smoke
and Believers.
In the case of Blue Ringer, I really like the Steve Earle
comparisons I've heard others make. While it seems altCountry
is the most appropriate moniker for Blue Ringer's album West
Texas Sky, I invite you to listen and discover something much,
much more.
