The August List - O Hinterland

Yes. I know. It seems you can't get enough of me today. A hat trick of blog posts for this very very musical Sunday. What can I offer you for this final installment? Something very different, and very very most outstanding.

Eagle eyed readers of these pages (yes, I'm looking at you...I LOVE what you've done to your hair, by the way...) will know by now that I've featured marvellous purveyors of alt-country perfectness The August List twice already. I really love them a lot, and their last single "Cut Yr Teeth" was a precursor to their new album "O Hinterland" which has now, gloriously been released.

First of all, as always, the necessaries. Hoik your tramtracks over to their bandcamp page, have a listen and make your purchase thereof.

theaugustlist.bandcamp.com/

This is, as expected, a pretty phenomenal album. It contains the previously mentioned single "Cut Yr Teeth" plus last year's brilliant "High Town Crow".

But that's not all. No. There are some other real gems too. In particular, thegeneral really loved "All To Break", "Snake In The Eagle's Shadow" and closing track "Cabin Fever". "All To Break" in particular is a really raw, powerful song. One of those tracks that seems to come from the band's feet and spread upwards in a glorious breakout of emotionally charged depth. "Cabin Fever" is a really superb way to close the album, gently lulling us out - the calm after the energetic storm.

I like the fact that both Kerraleigh and Martin are not afraid to trade vocal places, that they both get an equal footing in the songs and that it doesn't detract from the power of the tracks, having them do so. Both bring their own level of emotional intensity to the tracks, but both are different and unique enough to make it not sound like they're competing with each other.

I always bemoan the fact I never get enough alt-country/blues type acts to feature on these pages. The August List have justifiably become a regular feature of mine and long may they continue. "O Hinterland" is quite simply a brilliant album and one I urge you to give a try - even if you're new to this genre and unsure. You really won't regret it.

The August List - Cut Yr Teeth

It's been over a month. I can only apologise to my one reader. "I'm sorry, darling". There. Now it's all OK again.

My absence from the blogosphere can be easily explained - but I'll keep you guessing as to where I've been. I'll simply tell you a) it's been very nice and b) I won't ever be able to look at Dream Topping in the same way again.

Anyway - meaningless meanders aside I'm back with a belter. Eagle eyed readers will remember that last year I featured sparkily brilliant Oxford band The August List on these very pages and I admitted it was probably the first time I'd ever written about an alt-country-blues tinged act. I loved their last EP "High Town Crow" and was mightily pleased to be asked to feature them again.

Now the duo are back with a brand spanking new single, released prior to their new album which is out on 29th September and is entitled "O Hinterland".

First things first - as always, the link to the band's bandcamp page so you can listen, enjoy and buy:

theaugustlist.bandcamp.com/

"Cut Yr Teeth" is absolutely brilliant. It's really alive, it's full of energy, it bounces and it's got an ace spark to it. The repetition of the lyrics helps to drive the rhythm of the chords along and make it something that you really only need one listen of to get it stuck in your head.

It's a double A side single and the second track "Red Light On The Tower" is a wonderful complement. It's a nicely swirling number - with a calmness and slowness that provides a nice juxtaposition to the opener. There's a real power to it, the vocal performance is so beautifully nuanced - it soars in all the right places and is gently tapered in others.

I've said it before that I don't feature enough acts like this on the blog and listening to this new single makes me really excited for the release of the album which I'm so looking forward to reviewing when it comes out. In the meantime, please spend some of your heard earned cash and but this single, because you need it in your lives. The August List are a great duo really worthy of your time. Give them a listen!

The August List - High Town Crow

Well well well, what's all this then? Well you know damn well what it is, it's a final blog post before we wave out Sunday and flip the bird at Monday (from behind the wall obviously, don't want to hurt its feelings too much).

Of course, you'd expect nothing less from thegeneral, but we really are going out on a high with something refreshing, different and oh so lovely.

So, for the final installment of my features on acts supported by PinDrop Publicity, please to be very much welcoming you with The August List.

Now this really is somewhat of a departure for me - because as yet I don't think I've featured a truly out and out alt-country act on here yet, something for which I should hang my head in shame, because it is a bit of an overlooked genre all told.

So what can The August List offer you? Well, how about you have a look at their soundcloud page to see what all the fuss is about...

soundcloud.com/pindrop-publicity/sets/the-august-list-high-town-crow/s-hS2by

...see what I mean? They're great. bluesy, country-y, vocals to DIE for and outstandingly clean guitar sounds, that turn into something outright dirty half way through.

I was blown away by this track and so, naturally decided to investigate them further. Here's what I found, if you can please make your way over to their bandcamp page:

theaugustlist.bandcamp.com/

You'll find their first EP from earlier this year and I HIGHLY recommend you give it a listen. It's four tracks of similarly bluesy-rocky-country-y tinged delight - there is something quite heartbreaking and yearning about the lyrics and the way they're performed. The songs all feel like instant classics, proper foot tappers - you really can actually pick them up after one listen and find yourself humming the melodies and they're a duo you feel really ought to go places with just the right break.

Standout tracks from this EP for thegeneral are "Death Penalty" and "Forty-Rod Of Lightning". They offer something intense, brooding and emotionally charged. Simply a great sound.

So, my final clarion call - please go investigate The August List, download their music and give them your time. If you like alt-country with balls, you'll love this duo.