If it took last years UK release of “Pawn Shop” to get us to wake up to the Brothers Osborne, then they have certainly capitalised on the buzz since. Rapturously received shows with The Cadillac Three – and goodness me, if there was ever two bands who should tour together it’s those – have been followed by a headline run of their own, and good luck getting a ticket, because they’ve gone.
Already doing serious business in their own land, the Maryland duo need only to put out a record that will cement their reputation and secure their future. With “Port Saint Joe” they’ve got one.
It doesn’t seem like they felt under pressure to perform to be fair, instead, rather like the cover which sees the sun going over the horizon in some idyllic location, they seem as chilled as a man can be.
The whole vibe, pretty much is encapsulated in the opener, “Slow Your Roll”. Unashamed country pop, it is literally the anthem for a Sunday spent doing sod all. In fact, as they put it: “its harder than you think to do nothing, if you want to do nothing right.”
Off and running “Shoot Me Straight” has the TC3 gift for making anything catchy, before turning into a jam and one with a searing lead guitar to boot. Perhaps this is the Brothers reminding that they can rouse the rabble if they want to – it’s just that for much of Joe they don’t want to.
Instead, they make a bid for the heartstrings, with “I Don’t Remember Me (Before You)” but these aren’t (usually) the type to come up with a straight up love song, instead this one sees them “taking last call strangers home” and, actually, that’s why BO are so good, there is an honesty about them, a sense they could cheerfully get rowdy just like the old days.
There is no doubt either that they are the most authentic of real deals. “Weed, Whiskey And Willie” only happens if the country greats are imbued in you, while “Tequila Again” is ostensibly a blue-collar US love story – until you realise it’s a love song to a drink.
So we’ve had hard-drinking, we’ve had partying, but there’s time for other stuff too. “A Couple Of Wrongs Making It Alright” is funky as all hell, “Pushing Up Daisies (Love Alive)” is copper bottomed proof that they have got a tender side (expect it to be the first dance at all kinds of mid-western weddings in years to come) and if all that lovey dovey stuff ain’t for you then “Drank Like Hank” is the soundtrack to the parties in the Sons Of Anarchy clubhouse (and I’ll stick my neck on the line and say that’s how they prefer it too).
“A Little Bit Trouble” reveals a soul side you might not expect, and “While You Still Can” is a slice of acoustic pop suggesting that you make the most of things. In doing so it performs two functions.
First, it brings us back full circle to where the album started, reinforcing the idea that whatever is happening outside your front door, the world ain’t all bad. Second, it gives an album that is – lets be honest – designed for global mega stardom the sort of conclusion it needed.
“Port Saint Joe” might as well come in a gold case because its giving Brothers Osborne a gold record as sure as that sun on the cover will rise again in the morning.
Rating 8/10
