Albums to Listen to: The Union Line
Songs to Listen to: "Pearls" and "Dirty Water" Coming from San Juan Capistrano, this band is not a band that you would naturally associate with Orange County. Rather than singing about babes and sand, The Union Line seem to be working out a new life for the American "work song." For a band that wouldn't typically grow up with the tradition of this style, their use of Americana is thankfully not kitschy. They remind me a lot of the Felice Brothers, but pleasingly less dramatic. The band plays around with classic aspects of the style; simple but driving percussion, harmonicas, vocals unison and harmony, and of course sooty lyrics stained with heartbreak and hard times.
"Pearls" is the type of song that immediately pulls the listener in. The line "Money don't talk, it screams" is crooned over a powerful jungle beat and rambling guitar, starting the song off with a solid and catchy foot. Creating a sound that is perfectly sparse and authentic, the guitar drops in and out, leaving vocals and drums alone at times. The end of the song is joined by a harmonica, without sounding overly cliched.
"Dirty Water" is small in composition but big in honest emotion. "Oh my lover, underneath the bridge I saw her, in the dirty water, wouldn't dare to stand beside her. All my love is wasted" is sung by a single heartsick voice. The line "All my love is wasted" is then repeated in a kind of "call and response" between the single voice and small chorus, creating something like the sound of inner turmoil itself.
The music of The Union Line is industrious and spirited, while at other times beautifully somber. I really look forward to seeing what else this band puts out. Oh yeah, and they have toured with Local Natives and will tour with them in the upcoming months..so expect to hear more about these dudes...
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