North Mississippi Allstars - Hernando

  by Daniel Cressey

published: 6 / 4 / 2008

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The much-lauded North Mississipi Allstars have moved some distance from their blues roots with this, their fifth album. Their great debut ‘Shake Hands with Shorty’ was an infectious and downright riotous set of blues numbers that if you were being overcritical was maybe a tad too traditional for its own good. By contrast 'Hernando' is far more of a big-riffs approach to blues. At points this works. Most of ‘Take Yo Time, Rodney’ stamps along pleasantly and ‘Keep The Devil Down’ is equally good. And when they let their less strident side show the band are equally good. ‘I’d Love to be a Hippy’ is a brilliant ode to a lifestyle the singer mournfully can’t have, “’cause my hair just won’t grow that long”. And the downbeat ‘Long Way From Home’ is an unexpected change at the close of the album. But incessantly driving nature of this album can drive the subtlety and talent that is normally so evident with this band. At too many points Hernando’s obsession with more riffs makes otherwise great songs almost dirge-like in nature. Some of this is doubless down to the fact that this is their fifth album. When they demanded that we ‘Shake ‘Em on Down’ on the opening track of their first album it was inspiring. When they now demand, on the opening track of 'Hernando', that we ‘Shake’ it doesn’t have quite the same impact, despite the heavier tone. North Mississipi Allstars should be applauded for doing something different with their sound. Sadly, while Hernando is doubtless essential for their fans, unlike ‘Shake Hands with Shorty’, it will not be essential for everyone else.

Track Listing:-

1 Shake (Yo Mama)
2 Keep the Devil Down
3 Soldier
4 Eaglebird
5 I'd Love to Be a Hippy
6 Mizzip
7 Blow Out
8 Come Go with Me
9 Rooster's Blues
10 Take Yo Time, Rodney
11 Long Way from Home

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