Langhorne Slim and the War Eagles - Langhorne Slim Album Review

Langhorne Slim

Album Review

Yet another musical troubadour, from America.

Twenty seven year old Sean Scolnick adopted the Langhorne tag because of his roots in Langhorne Pennsylvania. Now Brooklyn based, he has kept his stylings very much in the Americana genre despite his relocation to the Big Apple. On this self titled release Langhorne does go further a field for his influences, incorporating the adrenalin barroom rush on frenetic boogie She’s Gone with its full on thrust and swagger, applied to a rousing chorus. Soul / folk music is very much in evidence too found on the beat-fuelled throb of Spinning Compass. Singing wise, he warbles and aches with equal measure making an instant impact. Rebel Side Of Heaven has flavours of The Waterboys, a stomping indie beat and catchy hook that makes it radio friendly enough for the UK.

Going on a rootsier trip, the gushing acoustic lead Restless propelled by whiplash strumming is little understated gem, whereas the popier Sometimes bounces along nicely to the simplest of formats, though it does get a bit whacky towards the end, including handclaps. Six songs in we hit Colette. This is a love song, not of epic proportions, well not at the beginning anyway. For the final quarter it turns into a boogie romp featuring Sam Kassirer’s flushing accordion giving it a Bruce Springsteen feel. Diamonds And Gold is the album’s strongest and most rounded song. This is Langhorne’s most laid back effort, and assured vocals, until he packs a punch in the latter stages. In sharp contrast, The Honeymoon is the rockiest he gets, probably more indie rock actually.

Oh Honey has all he hallmarks of a catchy Bob Dylan ballad complete with sound-alike vocal. This is Langhorne at his most desperate and achingly beautiful, with Hummingbird a close second, drawing heavily on Neil Young’s songbook. If there’s a pop song, as such, in his repertoire, then the happy-go-lucky Worries is it, again a radio friendly ditty we can hum along to.

File under: Freewheelin’ Americana. Impressive start.

Elly Roberts