Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Album Review: Hurray For The Riff Raff- Small Town Heroes

Hurray For The Riff Raff
Small Town Heroes
*** out of *****
The heart and soul of Hurray For The Riff Raff is Bronx born Alynda Lee Segarra who relocated to New Orleans when she was 17. Her newest release (and first for ATO Records) Small Town Heroes finds her pairing with various Crescent City players as she organically explores songs of the American South.   

"Blue Ridge Mountain" sets the tone while "Crash On The Highway" puts Segarra in a reflective mood wishing to be back at BJ's in the Bywater playing her guitar; contemplative and affecting. Segarra works better in a lighter upbeat way, when she gets serious and mournful ("Good Time Blues", "Forever Is Just A Day") her voice still maintains a hopeful tone which augments the pain in brightness. The frisky "I Know It's Wrong (But That's Alright)" easy jaunting "End Of the Line" with its fiddles and crisp drums and the rollicking piano based "No One Else" all work better.

An easy run through the "The New SF Bay Blues" drops listeners guards before the revenge tale of male domination in "The Body Electric". Pulsing with drama, strings and anger "The Body Electric" is a powerful tale, even in it's briefness it sticks around; "Delia's gone/but I'm settling the score".   

"St. Roche Blues" returns it to the soul with chimes and slow distinct electric guitar line while the title track laments past woes yearningly. Segarra and crew have crafted a solid Americana album that peculates with passion and pride. 
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Hurray For The Riff Raff are playing Jazzfest, we hope to catch them.

Support the artist here, grab the album here and peep some video below:

2 comments:

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