I love Country and Western. Modern, trad, whatever. And not in an ironic way. There’s nothing I hate more than pastiche (hey, Steel Panther, how’s it hanging, boys?) and not in a “so bad its good” way (stupidest phrase in the world, that). Nope, I love country.
But, sitting thousands away from America, right in the middle of the UK as I do, it doesn’t always reflect my life. I look out of the window as I type this, its raining. It’s Saturday night (its lockdown, every night is the same, right?) which is a world away from the dirt roads, sun beating down, Friday night in the Honky Tonk and Sunday morning pray to the lord of much of it.
This though, well this is different.
Darlin’ Brando is the pseudonym of singer, songwriter and drummer, Brandon Goldstein. “Also, Too” is his first record as DB (he’s released other albums in other bands) and right from the start of “When You Don’t Fight” this is country. Good Lord, this is the Country I’ve loved since I heard “Good Ol Boys” on Saturday night tele as a little lad when it was the theme to The Dukes Of Hazzard, but its not country as you know it.
See that first song. It extols the virtues of a good row. A proper good row. Now, brother, that’s one I can get on board with, no problem at all.
Oh and just to make this even better, the gorgeous harmony vocals here? They are Brando’s new wife, Edith Freni – and she sounds just as up for a ruck as he is. Good luck to them both.
There’s another reason for spending so long on the opener. It’s a signpost to the rest. Because, if there is a broad theme through these, then it’s the marriage of old time sounds with lyrics that most – many, even – wouldn’t go near.
“Those Old Demons” (and this one seems really personal) is another to feature Freni, but it tells the tale of confrontation of a different kind. Substance based, I assume, but even if you don’t listen to the words then it sounds as wholesome as the soundtrack to an Elvis film in the 60s. That’s what “Also, Too” does so well.
“Therapy” chugs around like the very best of this stuff always does, but the glorious pay off line: “all this unpacking, well its supposed to bring me joy, so why am I picking fights with myself and crying like a little boy?” rather sums up why people would rather face things alone.
“Weeds And Flowers” is laid back, gentle, lap steel drenched stuff, but the character it deals with is exemplified by this: “she burns bridges like it’s a job that pays her well” and its tempting to imagine each one of these as ghosts from Brando’s past that is being exorcised by these words. Whether they are or not, to make a song called “Crumblin’ Marriages” like an oven ready line dance takes some doing.
“Last Call” is proper rock n roll. Little Richard, and Jerry Lee are invoked by the piano of AJ Croce (who guests here). If you love 50s sounding stuff, then start with this one, it’s a cracker.
“Year One” changes the vibe completely. It’s an authentic 70s flavour, and Freni is back to add some fabulous harmonies again – plus, lets not be coy here: it rhymes “scrabble” with “psychobabble” which deserves a bonus point.
There is, however, more than anything, some skilled songwriting here. The acoustic, singer/songwriter sounds of “The Old Man And The Kid” scream of battered old guitar cases, troubadours paying their dues, and the words are surely autobiographical.
Now settled back in LA, it seems as though Goldstein is in a better place, and that Darlin’ Brando is the silver lining to these clouds. Maybe that’s overstating it – although it doesn’t sound like it. Right or wrong, however “Also, Too” is fine opening statement of this brave new world.
Rating 8/10
