Debra Dylan: Lonetones shine on new CD
Phil Pollard, Steph Gunnoe, Sean McCollough & Maria Williams
I am grateful for whatever divine force brought Steph Gunnoe and Sean McCollough together. In addition to their marriage and family, their union has also spawned incredibly beautiful original Americana music. Sean’s friendship with drummer/percussionist Phil Pollard eventually lured Pollard to the band, and Pollard’s friendship with his neighbor Maria Williams added her angelic backup vocals and an upright bass to round out this gifted quartet.
On Friday, November 17, The Lonetones will be celebrating their much anticipated, long awaited release of their new CD, “Nature Hatin’ Blues". Their CD release party will be held at Carpe Librum Booksellers from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
This follow up to their wonderful debut CD, “Useful,” which included the popular single “Little Thing,” finds the band in a more contemplative mood on “Nature Hatin’ Blues.” “Useful” was dominated by plucky love songs and the living was easy (except when being bathed by mama). Their new CD is “dedicated to hometowns and misfits everywhere. To mountains and people who fight to save them. To the soil we grew up in….” Sean says he and Steph did not plan to write a themed album about internal struggles, “it just turned out that way.” While “Nature Hatin’ Blues” explores several thorny topics, the songwriting is striking and their delivery is, as always, very moving and very engaging.
The CD kicks off with slices of perfection. “The Soil We Grew Up In” is deceiving. The melody is very cheerful. Pollard chiming in on glockenspiel adds charm to the solid guitar work and soft lush harmonies, but here begins our introduction to the struggle and conflict. Steph, with her stirring vocals, sings this tale about never being satisfied, “in love with any place around the bend/never to love the place we’re in. Low self-esteem is another recurring theme and presents itself here with comparisons to celebrity culture and “love for anyone but not yourself.” Serious topics, gently, lovingly and happily performed.
“Heart Shaped Box” is a gentle and sweet love song from Sean that is more reminiscent of the halcyon days found in “Useful.” This aging realist promises that “where you lead/I just might follow/But you better not count on a good straight row.” This tender tempered song is in great contrast to Steph’s “Shallow,” where it has “been a long time since I was wrong.” This upbeat pop-style song is riddled with angst and “things that cannot be saved” but concludes with some hope. During the last verse and fade out, Maria treats us to beautiful backup vocals and solid bass accompaniment.
The title track, “Nature Hatin’ Blues,” has a smooth and sweet lighthearted accompaniment to lyrics about a person who struggles with human nature and longs to be be part of the natural world again. This natural world is threatened in Sean’s “State of the Art,” a very driven and banjo dominated political piece about strip mining, pollution and destruction of our mountains “These changes I see comin’ are tearing at my heart.”
“Metamorphosize” turns on the charm with its old time guitar work, banjo strumming and lovely harmonies. It’s an interesting tale that dwells in the possibility of choice and change to “lose your mama’s ways and your faith in martyrdom.” Musically, this song ends unresolved, which is nice touch.
“Drunken Bee” is endearing with its lively simple beauty. The harmonies on the chorus are touching and the lyricism sweet: “Like a flower I opened up/a little bit of nectar in a purly cup.” The acappella ending is a terrific and satisfying conclusion.
“Shine On” is Sean’s lovely country music waltz and ode to Knoxville. Here, there is no more longing for what’s around the bend. As a man grows older his perceptions change. In the beginning he is reaching for a bottle, then for tomorrow and finally, for his daughter. “Oh Knoxville, I never knew you so well.” The heartfelt and sincere touching duet between Sean and Steph on the chorus is lovely, and the unexpected gentle electric guitar work adds a nice variety.
Gretchen Geisinger of the Laurel Theatre has accurately and wonderfully described Steph’s voice as “a tender ripe yearning.” That yearning is maximized in “Lonely Skin” where a late-blooming female learns to “love her only place” and to “love your only skin.” Of course, the backup vocal harmonies are terrific and the summer-of-love, feelin’ groovy kind of melody adds a nice lightheartedness to these lyrics about the awkward journey to self-discovery.
“Broken Path” is a sad struggle in coping with broken hearts and broken dreams. This song features nice piano accompaniment from Geol Greenlee. “Burnt Tires” continues with despondency and heartache that “doesn’t really matter.” Phil Pollard sets an intriguing and moody tone throughout this song with a combination of drums and percussive elements. The tension builds with the late introduction of Steph and Marie’s backup vocals. Sean McCollough’s vocals really shine on this number, especially during the chorus when he hits a higher register. His vocal’s simple and quiet beauty nearly breaks your heart.
Finally, Steph drives it home with the beautiful and compassionate “Hang the Moon.” Here, the loss of innocence and realization that a mother isn’t perfect is very affecting. “Did you cry every time she was human?” “Does she know that you hide in the saddest place?” Sean’s tender echo on the chorus is touching. Please give this one a close and careful listen. The songwriting handles its delicate topic with an incredibly deft and gentle touch.
The Lonetones’ sophomore effort will not disappoint. There is plenty of what we’ve come to know, love and expect from the band, but their contemplative mood on “Nature Hatin’ Blues” demonstrates thoughtful growth in their new work. Diehard fans and new comers will not be disappointed.
Other upcoming Knoxville shows:
November 20 WDVX Blue Plate Special at 12:00 p.m.
December 3 Disc Exchange (South) at 4:00 p.m.