Country Music has gone through a major metamorphosis over the years. Modern Country radio resembles Pop radio of the ‘90s and you’d be hard pressed to find a pedal steel guitar on any track gracing the Top 40. For those looking for a more traditional slice of Country Music, you’ll need to look outside of the charts and turn your attention to hard-working rootsy Americana outfits like Sarah Shook & The Disarmers in order to get your traditional Country fix.

YEARS, Sarah and the band’s 2018 release, is an album that combines elements of Hank Williams, Buck Owens, and Wilco into an enchanting collection of songs that are most definitely rooted in Country Music tradition but also laced with some Indie Rock undertones and pretty catchy melodies. “Good As Gold,” “Over You,” and “Lesson” are instantly lovable highlights. “Damned If I Do, Damned If I Don’t” cuts to the chase and embraces Country’s Rockabilly roots. “New Ways To Fail,” “The Bottle Never Lets Me Down,’ and “Parting Words” have a touch of Outlaw Country and a whole lot of spirit. The title track offers up a few different moods and melodies that bring the album to a warm and honest close.

The album has grit, spit, and enough twang to satisfy Country Music purists. On the other hand, their instantly huggable melodies endear them to the Indie crowd as well. It is probably safe to say that Sarah Shook & The Disarmers might play in Country’s ballpark but their heart belongs to Americana, a broad genre of music that has a wider appeal than modern Country, which has become divisive to say the least. For those looking for tunes with a twang,  most definitely delivers!

SARAH SHOOK & THE DISARMERS

YEARS

4.6.18