Album Review: Sour Bridges perfect browngrass on latest record “Neon Headed Fool”
For more than a decade, the Austin-based quartet Sour Bridges has seeded the Capital City music scene with echoes of what they refer to as “browngrass.” The band has repeatedly stated, ”…it’s like bluegrass, but a little dirtier.” Consisting of Bill Pucci (vocals, rhythm guitar), Matt Pucci (vocals,mandolin, lead guitar), Garrett Ross (drums), Wil Vaughan (vocals, bass guitar), Sour Bridges has recently released their fourth studio album, Neon Headed Fool. The record was released May 24 of last year.
The record begins with “Nothing Between Us,” a tender number that establishes a sentimental tone for the album, which takes a more jovial turn with “Scrapyard Boys.”Between “Boot Healer” and “You Don’t Know” a nostalgic atmosphere sets in with what is best described as traditional bluesy-country.
There is something oddly familiar about “Dusty Waters,” a catchy, fiddle-driven track that serves as one of the more fast-paced pieces of the record. Watch the band work through the song on this clip from Sour Bridges’ appearance on Austin Music Live. We’re curious what you think about the song.
The album shifts back and forth in tone, with ups and downs in content, mood and tempo. What makes the record effective is that which is consistent throughout, the band’s impressive cohesion is evident through orchestration and vocal harmony. It’s consistency you’d expect after a band has been playing as long as Sour Bridges. As they say, “it’s the natural evolution of a band that’s been together since 2010.”
“If You See Me” is the beautiful finale of Neon Headed Fool, standing out as one of the album’s more energy-driven, emotional songs, topped off with heavy riffs of electric guitar.
Throughout Neon Headed Fool, several components stand out; the rich instrumentation, the witty lyrics, the animated vocal delivery, but what sets Sour Bridges apart is their ability to balance it all with brilliant harmony. This is a record worth having. Particularly if you’re prone to the type of mountain music that hails from the Northeast with a dollop of Texas love on top.
With members hailing from Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and parts of Texas, Sour Bridges are illustrative of Austin music, developing an eclectic interpretation of bluegrass music.
Perfect for sipping whiskey on a patio, or for a nice relaxing drive through the Texas Hill Country, Neon Headed Fool blends sentimental country love songs with light-hearted, convivial bluegrass, formulating a delightful collective.
You can keep up with Sour Bridges’ live streaming events via their Facebook page or other social media. Stream the entire Neon Headed Fool album below. Grab yourself a copy directly from the band’s website.
Neon Headed Fool:
Nothing Between Us
Scrapyard Boys
Boot Healer
You Don’t Know
Dusty Waters
Do Ya
Tarmac
Headin’ out West
Ozana Breakdown
If You See Me
