Runnin Again
This album is an evolution, but also a reinvention, of the Saltydog Sound. There’s hardly another way to put it. This album is Shakedown Street; it’s their Sgt. Pepper; it’s Bitches Brew. Evoking the Grateful Dead’s American Beauty as easily as CSNY’s Deja Vu, the record packs in a plethora of genres without losing its soul. It’s a privilege to watch a band iterate on their style in such a natural way - from their early horn-backed material to this latest round of keys-and-harmony-edged ballads.
Composed entirely of material heretofore unheard on their live backlog, this album is jam-packed at just under 35 minutes. The band has clearly been good at writing catchy hooks and smart lyrics, but they explore the story-telling sides of themselves here - the same side that shows they are the band that wrote “Barfly.”
On the early cut “Reachin,” the band is content to live life at a slower pace. Bassist Calvin “Calzone” and keyboardist Gavin get their dues in this remarkably polished mix, and on the back half we get some playful explorations from Owen and Sam on guitar. All the while, the vocalists narrate to us not so much lackadaisically but as spirits that have already internalized the lessons life has offered them.
To this author’s estimation, Gordon (which, based on the recurring motif, I assume is short for “Gordong”), with its smooth harmonies led by Owen Mahon and melancholy chorus, is the best example of this.
Drivin in the Night could easily front the title screen of a retro police procedural - it’s truly the most audible showcase of Calvin “Calzone’s” bass wizardry, although it is all over the record. The track starts out like a vintage Talking Heads cut, yet Calzone decides to turn up the funk to 11 with a slew of taut basslines, backed by some complementary spastic work on the drum kit by Owen. All this fun reveals the band’s range, not to mention their confidence that grows with each new record.
Slipperydog features my favorite solo of the album, where Jacob Mahon vocally accompanies his own bouncy guitar playing. Of all the great new songs on this album this one shows Saltydog hitting its stride. The band plays in that simultaneously tight yet loose way that all good bands seem to do, and no wonder why as they hone their craft with an endless cycle of live performances, another of which this author needs to catch soon.
- The Bloggfather & the Hound Dog
The band can be seen performing the opening track, Get Set, at Driftless Music Gardens in this video:
Saltydog - Runnin Again
- Get Set
- Reachin
- Gordon
- Drivin in the Night
- Do Run
- Run In A Gan
- Runnin Around
- Saltydog feat. Bobby G.
- Bessie
- Hatches
- Slipperydog
Buy the album wherever music is sold!
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