Appalucia Militia; Release date: Sept. 2, 2011
THE DEAL: Charlotte Americana collective releases four-song EP.
THE GOOD: The album starts with “Bet It All,” a folk song infused with a poker theme. Recorded with Bo White at the Yauhaus, the band’s instrumental layering is readily heard here. Acoustic guitar (Andy the Doorbum Fenstermaker), banjo (Wyley Buck Boswell), mandolin (Corey Zeigler), fiddle (Geoff White), drums (Kevin Hintzen) and bass (Ian Stroupe) can all be picked out. The second song, “I Kill Everything I Fuck,” is a vulgar, blunt message about an AIDS-infected murderer. “My loaded cock is like a gun, I’m a loaded time bomb killing everyone,” the group sings. “Grandma Song” is a slow roller with hints of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” in the rhythm. The final song, “You Bitch, You Cunt,” keeps the previous tone intact with a bit more contempt in the vocals.
THE BAD: The album’s release night — a review is online at Qcvibes.com — was Fenstermaker’s last show with the band as he focuses on his solo career. His prevalent gruff vocal style will be difficult to match.
THE VERDICT: The band offers a unique dichotomy of front-porch, foot-stomping bluegrass and folk mixed with drunken sailor language about sex, drugs and drinking. It might be a joke or waste of time if there wasn’t talent and musicianship to back it up.
This article appears in Sep 20-26, 2011.
