Wrinkle Neck Mules – Liza (Roundhill Records).

The Wrinkle Neck Mules have put out this mini album to sooth the withdrawal symptoms of those who loved Minor Enough and to whet the appetite for their upcoming full album, Pull The Brake, which is due out in March. The six tracks on offer will satisfy everyone and cement the Mules growing reputation as one of Americana’s finest exponents.

The title track is a joy. They have not lost any of their impact since the excellent Minor Enough and they are Americana personified. Liza is bluegrass in parts, electric country rock in others and there’s a story in there as well. Like most of the tracks it is Andy Stepanian written and it oozes class. The other studio track is Stolen Horses; this is very much in the vein of Neil Young and shows the rockier side of the Mules. The remainder of the songs are, in the main, gleaned from Minor Enough with an excellent cover of Mickey Newbury’s Why You Been Gone So Long thrown in for good measure. These are all live tracks and give a flavour of the Wrinkle Neck Mules experience. 17 Miles Of Bourbon is a case in point. From my review of Minor Enough, I said that this was sheer class and they can crank it out on stage as well. No Consolation is the opening track from Minor Enough and it still retains its new country rock feel. The Mules certainly are a live act to be reckoned with. Why You Been Gone So Long is a harmony-laden song to have a few drinks to – something that I imagine would sum up an evening with The Mules. The set ends with Discarded, a high paced country rock/bluegrass crossover that will have you begging for more – fantastic!

If you’ve not heard this band before then this will provide an excellent introduction. Go on, get Wrinkled.

http://www.wrinkleneckmules.com/

Copyright David Blue 2006.