Categories : Country + Western, Music Reviews.
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Rating: 4 / 5 Reviewer: Trent Depue |
Talkin’ On a Bus comes fresh off the heels of yet another Calgary Folk Music Festival Songwriters Competition victory for J.R. Shore, and serves as the follow-up to his 2008 debut An Impeccable Shine. And like his first record, this one is ripe with throwback country, wonderful melodies and sublime backing vocals from Jan McKittrick.
The piano and brass driven ‘Two Strike Foul’ starts the record off on one of its best examples of that throwback country style, while the next two tracks serve to illustrate the album’s diversity in both tempo and style. ‘Over the Brazos’ sees the electric guitar come out for a more upbeat rock number, followed by ‘The Story of Sugar,’ which slows right down and provides one of the record’s best moments, highlighted by its fabulous backing vocals. ‘California Condor,’ ‘Top of the Order’ and ’40 Nights’ are also particular highlights.
An Impeccable Shine was an impressive debut, and Talkin’ On a Bus staves off any thought of a sophomore slump – it’s absolute proof of Shore’s continued growth as a songwriter.
