SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ROSE CITY BAND – GARDEN PARTY

Rose City Band
Garden Party
Thrill Jockey

Is it really a bad thing that a band or an artist follows in the footsteps of other artists or bands? Of course not, particularly if the music they make is as good as the music of the bands or artists in whose footsteps they are following. And if they are adding at least touches that make their sound an individual affair, even better.

The above case does apply to guitarist-vocalist Ripley Johnson and his Rose City Band on their latest album, Garden Party. After all, they are not shying away from their inspirations but are wearing them proudly on their chests. You don’t just name your album after another seminal country psych rock album and its title song (the one then-reformed Ricky Nelson recorded back in the early 70s).

And yes, Rose City Band does follow in the footsteps of the likes of Flying Burrito Brothers, ‘acoustic’ phase The Grateful Dead, and of Ricky Nelson, but they have created their own niche in there, with particular signature guitar work from Johnson and his subdued, mellow vocals. Works anytime.

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