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A SMALL GOOD THING, "SLIM WESTERNS VOL II"

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A Small Good Thing have unveiled the follow up to an 'imaginarysoundtrack' for a movie we're supposed to run in our heads for theadventurous benefit of fictional outlaw Gerry Melody. Not having heardthe first part, originally released in 1994, I can't compare, but ifyou rush out and buy the limited edition it's included as a double CDor triple album. 'Slim Westerns' are very much in a spaghetti style andalthough there's a relaxing dust swept ambience and some good ol'cowboy guitar twang that Calexico might be at home with, a certainBritishness peaks through and mars the illusion. Dogs barking on thelast track just sound like English dogs (not the old 'punk' band) andthe repeated vocal refrain, "Hey Mister, is this train headin' south?"sounds so put on and false it muddies up the widescreen desert feel themusic effectively evokes. These are perhaps minor quibbles with anotherwise enjoyable but inessential recording that mixes up slow dustyguitar twang with creeping dusk ambience. May this trio of former OYuki Conjugaters sleep well undisturbed by English dogs (punk orcanine).

 

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