The Medicine Bow
Another String to the Bow
By Jillian Abbene
(SugarBuzz Richmond)
SugarBuzz Magazine
First think Guns 'N Roses, and now think honky-tonk country, and you've got yourself a harvest of distinction that feels like Jesse James just blew right in to snatch his reward money.
Medicine Bow's debut CD, trades in their Brit roots and plants a 2-gallon cowboy hat in talent all their own. In "Train Song -This Side of Town", it can be best described—where the express train of rock n' roll fevers passed wild wolves in tumbleweed, picking up destitute sharp shooters with their congress of rough ridin' rifle queens, to hijack the almighty sound of an ol'-style country locomotive before the govn'r can hang 'em high. This song has jumping harmonica that slides down the tracks of skipped octaves along side of chugging rhythm guitar by Medicine Stu. Shrills and squeals of outlaw lead guitar, brings back the shivers from the days of metal.
"Scar On The Horizon", completely switches gears to a nod-slow siesta madolin beat hinging around plush-leather smooth vocals that will end in contorted sleepy mandolin chords and one-solitary note of a bowed saw—brilliant!
Just as I think I've got The Medicine Bow's sound figured out, it switches again beginning with deep twangs, from bass on, The Don, in "Dirty River Road" and "Downtown/Downtime." Blues-rock with flurries of guitar(s) strummin' on chopped chords and piano ends with a memorable sing-a-long with la-la's at the end.
Amazingly, the last song, "Waltz of Disregard", is altogether different with a waltz beat smothered over country elements added by drummer who is steady on the snare. Like a full-bodied glass of beer, these instruments foam up together and crescendos for a hard drinking and wanders to intoxication, one-third note off key, persuasive in it, to a slow pass-out at the end of the song. With the Jew's harp, it ends the night in a soft slumber.
This CD is for someone who has said they have heard it all…I marvel in their unique style that keeps the listener guessing and wanting another CD from The Medicine Bow.
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