Sometimes you see the description a band has for itself and you wonder what it means. In the case of 49 Winchester, you don’t really have to wonder. The band describes its sound as “alt-country soul from the heart of Appalachia.” Granted, you have to know what Appalachian music sounds like, but alt-country soul in itself is a pretty good description.
So what does the description mean? You don’t have to listen to much of the new album III (OK, so it’s not the most creative album title) to get a good feel for that sound. Right off the bat, you can hear some similarity to Marcus King. “Long Hard Life” is the first song on the album, and it contains elements of country and funky soul (pay attention to the organ) with roots in New Orleans.
The more you listen, the more you realize that this band is a marriage between and alt-country band and a soul band. The pensive minor-key melodies and storytelling are reminiscent of Lucero, but there is a steady soul component provided by the bass and the keyboards. You notice something else as you move through this album. The band itself is from Appalachia and carries an Appalachian influence in its music. However, when you focus on the guitar sounds, you also realize that there is a healthy dose of Bakersfield in the band’s sound. “It’s a Shame” is a good example. It features some spacey pedal steel and some honky-tonk piano that wouldn’t be out of place in a Flying Burrito Brothers song.
When you listen to Isaac Gibson’s evocative voice, it’s hard to imagine him in any other job. Not to say that he wouldn’t be a good actuary, but you realize that’s not where his real talent lies. His voice is filled with the ache that has fueled countless songs, and it was made to fill dark honky tonks where people want to dance. Beyond that, he has a way of telling a story that makes you pay attention to every word.
This is a solid album of 10 songs that is over before you know it. This band takes you on a musical journey that stretches from Appalachia to Bakersfield, and they do it all without a single song that you want to skip.
Photo credit: Olivia Jewell
