The newest outing from Tommy Stinson arrived organically as he began playing with his friend (and the uncle of his second ex-wife) Chip Robert over a decade ago. The duo hit it off and began writing songs and touring, and when they realized they were onto something, they decided to record and name themselves Cowboys in the Campfire.
The resulting ten-song debut titled Wronger was produced by Christine Smith with X’s John Doe helping on bass and backing vocals for a few efforts. The songs drift into a more Americana/alt-country feel as Stinson and guitarist Robert add twang, steel, and electric/acoustic strings to the mix. That country sound drips from the weepy vibe of “Fall Apart Together” while “Karma’s Bitch” tells a depressingly true tale around steel guitar and acoustic strums.
The tracks that differ from that formula also feel very alive as the opening “Here We Go Again” finds Stinson on ukulele and brings in Motown-fueled horns and vocal harmonies setting a high bar. The most rocking effort is the shaking, retro-garage-influenced 50’s sounding “That’s It” as the players pump up the tempo while “We Ain’t” is a freewheeling road song driven by bass and great electric guitar work.
This being Stinson though there is a distinct midwestern vibe that clearly recalls his first band as “Schemes” feels like a long-lost Replacements effort, as does the smirking “Mr. Wrong” which also delivers touches of guilt and twang. The piano-based “Hey Man” would probably work better as a big rocker, yet things get muddied on soft/loud excursion “Souls”. Better is the marching drums and excellent picking of the first single and album closer “Dreams”.
Stinson and Robert have turned down the raucousness and deliver more contemplative efforts, while still experimenting with sound and instrumentation. The stakes feel lower by design as if two musicians are just having a good time with each other as Cowboys in the Campfire allow Wronger to chill along.
