The name of the genre implies country-specific music. But like so much of US culture, "Americana" travels far and often returns to the place from whence it sprung. In the process it carries the riches of multiple influences, further embellished with new layers of meaning. When John O'Connor of Cork roots band John Blek & the Rats lets his emotion-stirred voice shamble through the likes of the folky Calling Out My Name , the road-house country of Rosie and the shuffling Lord! Don't Leave Me , he is retreading established melodies, styles, and lyrical conventions with a distinctive and engaginge southern flourish. There are lots of reference points here, not least the ghost of Townes Van Zandt, the Felice Brothers and Willy Nelson. But equally it all sounds refreshingly local. And though the 12 tracks on the band's impressive debut are new, they exude a warm sense of familiarity.
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Download: Leave Your Love at the Door, Rosie