http://www.Organic-Records.com
Recorded in Ashville, NC five-piece band, The Honeycutters are fronted by lead vocalist Amanda Ann Platt and are one of the welcoming new sounds I have come across recently. One of the best ways to describe their sound would be Eilen Jewell, only less full on, and arguably a little more cultured. Platt’s vocals are more rounded and melodic and less abrasive (by the way I simply adore Jewell’s work!), instrumentally they are acoustic opposed to Jewel's more thrusting electric guitar (and upright bass) propelled sound. Some have called their sound Appalachian honky-tonk and the cap fits as good as any.
While lazy paced, reflective song “Little Bird” gained her credit at Merlefest’s prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest there’s a few, jaunty ode “Edge of The Frame” heartfelt song “Carolina” (peppered with Dobro) and “Texas ‘81” every bit as impressive, and to my mind better. Fellow band members Tal Taylor (mandolin), Rick Cooper (acoustic, electric bass guitar, harmony vocals), Josh Milligan (drums, percussion, harmony vocals) and Matt Smith (pedal steel, electric guitar, dobro) give her lead vocals (and rhythm guitar) the perfect base.
Other songs to watch out for include complex piece as Platt sings of how life is not that simple, and with beautiful sounds of Dobro, mandolin, acoustic guitar and gorgeous shuffling rhythm plied “Hearts Of Men” it qualifies as one of the finest tracks on display as a more of The Honeycutters trade-mark melodious beautiful, easy flowing sound is finely captured. A song about their home state, “Carolina” loaded in pedal steel guitar and magical lead vocals, and harmonies too a wonderful sound resonates as Platt sings about an old truck full of old street signs as old memories are ignited and shared by this superb lyricist.
It doesn’t stop there either as you have reflective ode containing finely penned bittersweet memories “I’ll Be Loving You”. The latter half of the record though less spontaneous sounding, more calculated and on occasions a little melancholy this only goes to strengthen the record. “Wedding Song” featuring a shuffling rhythm Dobro and second resonator guitar (Will Straughan) sees the song take flight in a fashion you don’t want it to land, but it does, and most beautifully. With lyrics that often as not take the listener from typical urban surroundings to more rural scenes Platt and the band provide an escape for many, and with them all musically loaded in talent here we have a case of you looking at a real band, tight fitting and music set to awake ones senses no matter what day you are enjoying (or enduring).Fingers crossed they make it over here in 2016.
Maurice Hope