Scud Mountain Boys
Do You Love the Sun
Reviewed by Jane Roser
When I first glanced at the track titles of the Scud Mountain Boys new album Do You Love The Sun I thought to myself- this sure does remind me of the time I saw “Jesus Christ Superstar” on Broadway. “Crown of Thorns” and “Learn To Love Him” are examples of why I suddenly pictured Ted Neeley singing alt-country tunes, but then I saw track number eight: “Theme From Midnight Cowboy” and that thought train came to a screeching halt.
From their rock band roots in Northampton, Massachusetts to switching genres to alt-country after late night kitchen party jam sessions fueled their passion for more somber Johnny Cash-esque tunes, the Scud Mountain Boys released three albums before disbanding in 1997. Reuniting for a concert in 2011, fans were thrilled to hear the Boys were back.
Joe Pernice’s melancholy vocals carry these songs through a world of hurt while Stephen Desaulniers and Bruce Tull beautiful playing accompany on pedal steel, electric and acoustic guitar. “Crown of Thorns” sounds like a cowboy’s lament. If you close your eyes, you can almost feel the heat of a cackling fire and the smell of baked beans over a guitar strumming a sad song. “The Mendicant” is witty and funny, telling the tale of eating a chocolate rabbit and then watching Captain Kangaroo. Two images I never imagined in a million years to flesh out a country song, but there you have it.
It’s not Johnny Cash or Marty Stuart, but I could love this sun.
Rating: Listenable
