|
***Alternative Tentacles unearths the Woodbox Gang, yet another avant-Americana gem for their trophy case of stellar American roots acts. Woodbox Gang sprang from Vulture Valley (we kid you not!) in Southern Illinois, a land of swampy forests, coal mines, and festering religious conservatism cradled by the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. They combine the roots music tools of trade-- guitar, mandolin, lap steel, and the fiddle-- with unconventional instruments like the didgeridoo, or just jury-rig whatever's at hand (a saw, a suitcase) to make music out of it. While Drunk as Dragons is a sure bet for fans of Slim Cessna and our other Denver acts, the Woodbox Gang sound has a more desolate, outlaw twist: after all, Southern Illinois has a history as a gangster hideout and secessionist threat to Honest Abe. Drunk as Dragons began as a mini-album to be sold at shows, but it's been fortified (y'know, like finer wines) with re-recordings of eight classic songs from their seven-album discography to better spread the Woodbox gospel farther and wider. With longtime punks forming jug bands and creating fiery takes on traditional sounds, it's time Woodbox Gang ended their toil in relative anonymity. "A rare find among the ruins of rural America." --No Depression "It is the jug flat tire band whose power is good as though it is the mischievous raging horse!" --Hi-Fi Record Store, Japan 30-second MP3 excerpts: Shadow Of Tom Drunk As Dragons Tough Guy Blues Almost Enough The Muse Train Back To Texas Bad Veins Dusty, Dozer, & Grandpa Dirty Sponge Everybody But Me Better Place To Die I Roll My Own Soap In My Mouth Never Kissed A Girl Family Night Godbox Wagon Termite Song Devil's Got Dibs On Me If you have a recent version of iTunes software on your computer, clicking on the link immediately below should open the iTunes application and take you to that album's iTunes page-- where you can listen to samples and buy this album, or individual tracks: Go to iTunes to browse downloads for Woodbox Gang "Drunk as Dragons" If you have a subscription account at emusic.com, you can download tracks for purchase here. This title is also available for download at AmazonMP3. For a complete listing of Midheaven exclusive albums available for download from the iTunes Music Service and emusic, please visit the Midheaven Mailorder/Revolver USA Downloadables page. |