Junkyard Choir
I must admit, I’ve been sat on the Junkyard Choir’s new album “Trouble in Mind“ for a while now. It came through before it even got released, but that’s not to say it hasn’t been a regular on my playlist. In fact, I’ve probably given “Trouble in Mind“ more air-play than the band’s debut “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie“.
The first album was full of 70’s inspired blues-rock, something I’ve always had a lot of time for. Junkyard Choir sounding more like America’s deep south than their Brighton based roots. With “Trouble in Mind” the duo continue in much of the same vein, which was fine by me!
This time around the 2 piece have brought in a couple of different players to broaden the overall sound too, which pays off from the opening track. The album starts off with the very blues laden “When it all Falls Down” where Mark Woods and Tom Herbert are joined by harmonica player Thomas Woodbridge.
On “…Sleeping Dogs” it was the additional Hammond organ that made the album something special. This time around it’s the harmonica, producing some bluesy rock n roll at its finest. For the next couple of tracks though the pair are joined by Gavin Kinch on keys. The second of these in “Road to Glory” being a slower, more soulful track.
It’s actually the slower numbers where the quality of Wood’s vocals really stand out. There’s almost a Roy Orbison feel to power ballad “She’s on Fire”, albeit one after a shot or two or bourbon.
Junkyard Choir – Trouble in Mind
Live though, I’d imagine it’s the more upbeat moments that Junkyard Choir are at their best. After all officially this is a 2 piece you want to hear rip it up on stage. That said “Monkey See, Monkey Do” benefits from the additional drums. However, it’s the raw sound of a white man swamp blues guitar, backing the gravelly vocals, that gives this one it’s true character.
Elsewhere on “Trouble in Mind” there are a few tracks that become a little non-descript. Maybe during the 2nd half of the album, Junkyard Choir could have done with dropping a couple of songs. It’s not that the quality drops off, far from it, just a shorter release would have sufficed.
The latter part of the album still comes with some top tunes though, the albums title track for one. Although I’ve listened to Junkyard Choir a few times, I’m still most intrigued to know what they sound like without the additional musicians. So if you’re up for some good old-fashioned stripped back rock n roll blues from Brighton, please can someone book them to play in Portsmouth? After all, they’d be a great addition to the local circuit.
