When Boston-area roots string band Grain Thief set out to record their second full-length album Gasoline this past winter, they had a clear vision to recreate, in the studio, the sound & energy from their renowned live performances. While the talented quintet’s previous studio efforts – the Animal EP (2015) and Stardust Lodge (2018) – were comprised of individually recorded tracks from each member, Gasoline was primarily recorded as a whole. As bassist Michael Harmon puts it: “We made a conscious choice to narrow our focus and create an album that was cohesive and reflective of our live performance. Our goal was to record everything as would play it live, with as few overdubs as possible.”
To say the ensemble – consisting of Patrick Mulroy (guitar, vocals), Zach Meyer (mandolin, vocals), Michael Harmon (bass, vocals), Tom Farrell (resonator guitar), and Alex Barstow (fiddle) – was successful in achieving that sought after live feeling would be a resounding understatement. With an old-timey string band sound at its core, Gasoline’s eleven tracks show off the group’s myriad of influences as the album touches on everything from progressive bluegrass to country to mariachi.
The fiddle-driven instrumental opening track “Bourgeois Breakfast” does a fine job of setting the tone for the rest of the album with its infectious klezmer-infused melody and toe-tapping beat. “Diesel Baby”, a country-flavored ode to a faithful 2001 1-ton diesel pickup truck anchors the LP’s second slot before giving way to the title track. Keeping with the automobile-related lyrics, “Gasoline” features powerful vocals from Mulroy – somewhat reminiscent of Paul Hoffman’s (Greensky Bluegrass) own unique vocal stylings – en route to a gorgeous duet between Messrs. Meyer & Barstow before charging head-first back into the final chorus. The tender “I Was Wrong” showcases the group’s ability to write a bonafide love song and contains some beautiful resonator guitar work from Mr. Farrell. “Manche Mi Camisa” – which translates to “stain my shirt” in English – is among the album’s highlights with an authentic accordion-based Mexican-style melody and (presumably) humorous lyrics that reference Clorox bleach and are sung entirely in Spanish.
Gasoline’s second half begins with the bluesy “Nightmare” followed by “Off the Rails” which once again features some phenomenal interplay between mandolin & fiddle as both instruments effortlessly glide their way through the intricate melody. “Pedal Down”, a reflective look back at the halcyon days of youth, showcases the group’s strong vocal harmonies overtop a bouncing rhythm before giving way to the soulful original “Sunlight.” The album closes on a strong note with the countrified lament of lost love, “Tequila Bottle”, as well as the atmospheric instrumental “Zoe.”
Grain Thief has unquestionably come a long way since its inception in 2015. While their previous albums are certainly more than respectable in their own right, Gasoline shows a newfound level of musical maturity that can only be achieved after spending years together on the road as a band. Enjoy the ride.
