Review: CMJ New Music Monthly

These Londoners have always had stars in their eyes--the sort of stars populating the California desert night sky, the same ones that Gram Parsons fell in love with long ago. A few years back, the band packed up and moved to sunny SoCal, honed its smoky, country-tempered rock, and released the excellent Road Movies in early 2001. The album was largely overlooked, so a promoter persuaded the band to try, try again--and this time, radio is listening. "I think I need a holiday from myself/ I need some time away from me," singer Simon Petty croons on should-be hit "Holiday From Myself," which sets the album's self-deprecating yet good-timey feel. Uncle Tupelo-reminiscent guitar melodies and rich harmonica supplement "I Know Without Asking," and "Lost In The Details" is a lovable, mesquite-flavored ballad that would pair nicely with a bottle of Shiner Bock. The group is currently working on a new record. In the meantime, don't miss the glorious still-life images of late nights, empty pockets and poetic afternoons that make Road Movies such a keeper.

From CMJ New Music Monthly