Car dependency in the USA has fuelled the Heartland Roots Rock of artists like John Mellancamp, Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen. This music makes a perfect soundtrack for those physically or metaphorically cruising the highways and the byways of America. The Artisinals from Charleston, South Carolina are happy to follow in this tradition.
The cover of their sophomore release depicts the desert plains of the Southwest which I imagine are best viewed from the comfort of a car/truck rather than being explored on foot. Although the terrain looks bleak and inhospitable, this is not reflected in the record’s tuneful and broadly affirmative sound.
The nomadic nature of the band clearly feeds into the song writing. This is driving music with a distinctly 70s vibe even if the destination is not always clear. One track declares vaguely in the title that they are Heading Somewhere while on the first single (and standout track), Violet Light, Johnny Delaware sings of his intension to “fill up the car and drive for no reason, stick my hand in the wind.” The need to be travelling for its own sake is also explicit in The Road: with lyrics which boldly declare:“we’re taking this road wherever it goes.”
Needless to say, there are strong elements of Arena Rock here, but the acoustic guitar takes precedence over Clay Houle's electrics The PR blurbs speaks of a ”canyon-like ambience” while frontman Delaware emphasizes his windswept mystical (h)air by declaring that “musicians are modern day shamans.”
Long story short, this album invites the listener on a spiritual journey in a cool vehicle. From the opening track, Fear To Fail, we learn that the singer is “heading for the south to live my dream” with the primary motive being to leave his monsters well behind him.
Where he and his bandmates are actually going is probably not so essential since the abiding message seems to be that it’s enough to simply be moving provided, of course, that the radio is turned up loud.
