Nashville’s psych / blues rockers All Them Witches (Jonathan Draper – keyboards, Ben McLeod – guitar, Charles Michael Parks, Jr. – bass and vocals, Robby Staebler – drums) have come back from a long road tour to do what any other band would do after a long tour – release a new album.
Opening with the wild, almost manic “Fishbelly 86 Onions,” the whole band goes bonkers, especially McLeod – who shreds more than usual while Parks yells out twenty counts. “Workhorse” could be considered “classic” ATW (if there is such a thing). It hits all the notes you love from the band – psychedelia, obscure lyrics, a bit of outlaw country flavor, and plenty of mystery. Plus, Staebler’s tick-tock beats are excellent on it.
“1st vs. 2nd” could almost be a Thin Lizzy track, and Parks’ bass melds so well with Draper’s keys that it’s almost impossible to tell them apart. It evolves into almost a heavy metal chug by the end. “Half-Tongue” gets us back into a psychedelic jam groove as Parks sings about, I think, a relationship that didn’t end well. I could be wrong.
“Diamond” is one of those ATW songs that you should play when people ask you to describe them. Draper’s keys move like wisps of incense smoke, McLeod’s guitar prowls like a tiger, Parks’ bass moves like a robed wizard through a library built inside a dark cave, and Staebler’s drums drive forward like a Viking boat along a bubbling river.
The band’s blues influences come out with swagger on “Harvest Feast.” “By the time I got back to my mountain, I was uninvited from the harvest feast,” Parks sings. He can only walk away dejected as he’s spurned by his family, friends, and culture. The song flows into a delightful instrumental jam highlighting Draper’s keyboard work and McLeod’s trippy riffs. “HJTC” nearly has them playing stadium rock riffs, but they hold back just enough to keep it linked to their smoky Nashville club roots.
The album ends with “Rob’s Dream,” which one can’t help but think is about something drummer Robby Staebler dreamed one night. He apparently dreamed of powerful guitars, even stronger drumming, and flying out of orbit (judging by how the track ends).
It’s another solid record from one of the best bands out there right now. While All Them Witches aren’t ruling the airwaves is beyond me, but I think they enjoy being a bit of a mystery and a treasure hunt.
Keep your mind open.
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