Yonder Boys is an appropriate title for this band. The musical trio has roots across three different continents; Australia, America, Chile, and Europe. Based now in Germany, their musical influences embrace all of their original environments delivering a fresh sound that finds roots in Americana, rock, Latin, pop, and psychedelia.
Opening with ‘Rabbit Song’ the record ‘Acid Folk’ starts with a banjo-driven bluegrass surrealist song about hunting rabbits. Aside from the bizarre subject matter, the multi-layered, pop-fueled harmonies, underpinned by brooding synth and a fiery violin track quickly makes the listener realise that this isn’t just another bluegrass band.
‘Mumma’s Boy’, ‘New Bohemians’, and ‘Eagle Song’ all feature more traditional bluegrass arrangements replete with tight harmonies and splendid musicianship highlighting the talent of the trio.
The influence of The Beach Boys and 1960s pop music abound in the overtly political ‘The Great American Pussy Grab’. While the music is clearly a pop pastiche, the lyrics are scathing of recent American politics.
Proving to be adept musical arrangers, the band adds tuba on ‘High On A Mountain’, and French Horn to the Scottish traditional ballad ‘House Carpenter’ to such an effect that it makes the listener wonder why both instruments aren’t used more the genre. Rounding out the record, ‘Il Pesce Spada’ takes the listener on a dreamy trip through Italian landscapes.
‘Acid Folk’ is a debut record encouraging diversity in musical genres and pushing lyrical boundaries with tight harmonious music. Put simply, it’s Americana but not as you know it.