‘Fire on the Rails’ is the latest long-player from Madrid based Track Dogs. Taking their name from the dark underground world of New York’s subway system, the band comprises of two Irishmen, an Englishman, and an American. While that combination might sound like the set up for a non-PC joke, the resulting album is joyful for all the right reasons.
From the opening notes, the listener is taken on a journey, that explores Americana, Tijuana brass, folk, sultry swing, and Revival. With three vocalists in the band, they collectively work wondrous memorable harmonies into their songs.
Beautifully produced in glorious analogue on a Studer A80 tape machine recovered from Abbey Road Studios, producer German Gutierrez has created an uncluttered sound in which all instruments and artists are sharp, clear and vibrant. In particular, the percussion work of Robbie K Jones and the horn playing of Howard Brown are highlighted within the mix.
Other highlights include ‘Love & War’ with its fiery violin, the folksy ‘Dragonfly Castle’, the banjo based ‘Don’t Delay’ and the rallying ‘All Clapped Out’.
Across ten melodic and catchy songs, ‘Fire on the Rails’ is the perfect up-tempo, genre-crossing, feel-good start to 2020. ‘Fire on the Rails’ is released via Mondegreen Records on 24th January 2020 with UK tour dates to follow in February.