Dangermuffin

Five years and four albums into a career thats found them drawing circles around the lower 48, building a burgeoning national fan base, Dangermuffin embodies a curious paradox. The themes found within their striking new collection, Olly Oxen Free, sum up that juxtaposition.

This Folly Beach, S.C.-based trio are clearly at peace with themselves and their career, while keeping up a constant pursuit of truth. The seeds theyve planted at major festivals around the nation grow as fast as the mileage on their odometer, yet they dream and sing of home with a yearning passion. Most strikingly, the bands musical execution remains refreshingly simple, belying a staggering lyrical and thematic depth behind each individual song.

Dangermuffin can no longer be plainly dubbed an Americana or roots-rock band. Behind the virtuosic rhythms of drummer Steven Sandifer, the group seamlessly segues from calypso to world beat to a down-home shuffle, often within the same song. When guitarist Mikie Sivilli steps in with a powerful slide-driven lead, one might even venture to call it Southern rock. But by the time songwriter Dan Lotti sings the first words of another verse with his unmistakable light rasp, the listener is undeniably back on the beach, pondering both the worlds pleasures and ills through sandy toes.

The follow-up to 2010s Moonscapes, which produced tracks that received generous airplay on both SiriusXMs Jam_On and Outlaw Country stations, Olly Oxen Free demonstrates heightened ambitions and a refined, road-polished outfit ready to take on even more. Opener Slumber greets us with an enveloping sense of hope. The ska beat of Battle gives way to a fierce guitar solo, before 200 Degrees comes in batting cleanup. The fourth track on the disc, that songs memorable riff serves as an epic reminder that Dangermuffin has no plans to rest on their laurels.

Olly Oxen Free never turns its back on the audience for a moment. Recorded at Truphonic Studios in Charleston with producer MJ Fick, even the albums peaceful acoustic interlude, Jaula, feels like a breath of fresh ocean air; an unexpected, serene eye of a perfect summer storm.

From Homestead to Rattle the Cage, Lottis songwriting encourages us to be free, revel in the simple beauty of our complicated lives, and always seek out healing answers. Like the cry bellowed during a childrens game of hide-and-seek, Olly Oxen Free signals that its safe to come out from our hiding spots, gather together, and celebrate late into the evening. Dangermuffin is more ready than ever to provide the soundtrack. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.