Search - Last Train Home :: Last Good Kiss

A CD that leaves us feeling in high spirits and content with

Joseph Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 03/16/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 48:47 -- Last Train Home continues to ride the wave. While based in the Washington area, they won a dozen WAMMIEs (Washington Area Music Awards) and have built both a solid reputation and fanbase over the years. Last Train Home's latest eclectic alt-country effort (their fourth album overall) includes eleven originals, ten by guitarist/vocalist & frontman Eric Brace and one penned by guitarist Steve Wedemeyer. The band has been cranking out the tunes for about ten years, and Brace relocated to Nashville in 2003. Delivering a confident and personalized roots rock sound, Last Train Home also includes Jen Gunderman (keyboards, accordion, percussion), Jim Gray (bass), and Martin Lynds (drums, percussion). Jen and Martin contribute background vocals. Also appearing in the mix are Kevin Cordt (trumpet), Claire Small (backing vocals on "The Color Blue"), and Tom Mason (banjo on "You").



The title track opens the set with a desire to move on beyond broken hearts and promises despite the availability of one "last good kiss." The set makes a dynamic segue to the melodic electric guitar riff of "Flood," a song about being carried away on the rising tide of love. A poignant ballad with acoustic overtones, "Anywhere But Here" expresses the yearning to find new direction. In fact, many of Brace's sentiments are about his optimistic needs, wishes and dreams, through thick and thin, always trying to keep an upbeat attitude despite adversity and rejection. Gunderman's accordion gives the band a distinctive Texas border sound, and my guess is that they're building a legion of fans in the Lone Star State at roadhouses and dance halls where they perform. The 5-minute "Go Now" and 7-minute "May" express some of Brace's most pensive and reflective moments -- "be brave enough to let it all in, always give more than you take." Putting these two relaxed songs back-to-back at the midpoint of the set creates a whole different mood, one that is captivating but some may feel is enervating and causes the set to lose some of its energy. I hope that lyrics for their songs will be uploaded soon to the band's website because listeners need to contemplate and reflect upon them.



The second half of the set make some clear and convincing statements, but I felt some additional background vocals would have sweetly embellished choruses on songs like "I'm Coming Home," "Kissing Booth," and "Marking Time." The combination of percussion, trumpet and Claire Small's vocal backing make the album's unique closer, "The Color Blue" awash with an impressionistic azure character that leaves us feeling in high spirits and content with the overall set. (Joe Ross, Roseburg, OR.)

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