Wynntown Marshals - The Long Haul

by Carl Bookstein

published: 13 / 7 / 2013

Label: Wynntown Recordings
Format: CD

Soul-stirring Americana on second album from Edinburgh-based group, the Wynntown Marshals

Review

'The Long Haul' reminisces on the imagery of road travel. We find the band sleeping in the car park of some country and western bar. The Wynntown Marshals are from Edinburgh, yet with an entirely authentic Americana sound. The band’s trademarks include honest, heartfelt lead vocals, ringing Rickenbacker 12 string and soothing pedal steel. Straight up vocals meet a driving guitar based sound. The opening tune 'Driveaway' is down home from the start- evocative Americana, bringing to mind Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt and early Wilco. “With over 3,000 miles to go… the open road was ours” sing the Marshals. “We can look back on this when we’re older?/When we’ve pulled over to the hard shoulder.” Describing mountains, seas and the North Atlantic, 'Canada' captures pictures of the North American continent. Earthy vocals and easy instrumentals even feature banjo, mandolin and some strings. 'Low Country Comedown' is radio friendly country rock, describing hotel rooms on the road and the singer not being able to make it on his own. 'Whatever It Takes' captures a vision of storm clouds gathering overhead. This album contains rich roots rock, road songs, love songs, guitar that sings and music that is comforting like a warm blanket. 'Curtain Call' speaks to love and longing and how it all went wrong. 'North Atlantic Soul' features a sweet lyrical refrain about feeling fine when the weather turns cold. 'Change of Heart' is the closer- resonant and soul stirring: “Life’s a journey?This is the long haul.” The song speaks to the difficulty of relationships, yet with hope: “I didn’t come here looking for an easy way out.”

Track Listing:-

1 Driveaway
2 Canada
3 Low Country Comedown
4 Whatever It Takes
5 Tide
6 The Submariner
7 Crashing (Like the Reds)
8 Curtain Call
9 North Atlantic Soul
10 Change of Heart