Real-time duplicated high-bias chrome cassette tape, with a double-sided j-card. Also includes Pin Pack #2, comprising of 3 collector's pins (1 label variant pin, 1 Morning River Band pin, and 1 "Brambles" pin). $2 of every sale through Under the Counter will go to the International Rescue Committee, per the request of Morning River Band. This package is limited to 100 worldwide.
Includes unlimited streaming of Brambles
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
ships out within 7 days
edition of 100
Purchasable with gift card
$6USDor more
Streaming + Download
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
If you want digital only, please go to morningriverband.bandcamp.com to pay-what-you-want (including free) directly to Morning River Band. I have set the digital price higher to encourage that only cassette purchases are made through Under the Counter. If you do decide to purchase digital here, 1/3 from each sale will go to Morning River Band, and 1/3 from each sale will go to the International Rescue Committee.
Morning River Band's "Brambles" is an album rife with juxtaposition. Beautiful, bright guitar melodies holding together morose musings on relationships, alcoholism, religion, and death. Blunt lyricism bound to be misinterpreted. Vocals so pure, clear, vulnerable, and yet strained so that it seems as though they could fall apart at any second.
This is by no means a happy album. While this may be the cleanest, most 'modern' sounding release from the band to date, the spirit on display is firmly that of the traditional roots of country. The 'blues in another suit'. If you've ever complained about the vocalist of a band killing himself off in a narrative only once on an album, this River is the cure.
Brambles are an interesting growth. They can bear flowers and fruit, but many consider them weeds due to their growth in neglected areas and sharp thorns. Whether brambles are worth eradicating or cultivating is all up to perspective.
credits
released January 18, 2019
Morning River Band is Denny Barron: bass, vocals; Jeffrey Fields: guitar, vocals; Arthur Herrmann: lead guitar, steel guitar, vocals; Joe Idell: drums, vocals. All songs by Jeffrey Fields except Space Boy Rag (Herrmann). Recorded Winter 2017-Spring 2018 by Matt Weber at Gradwell House, Haddon Heights, NJ. Mixed by Matt Weber, Denny Barron, and Jeffrey Fields. Mastered by Dave Downham. Cover art (Tête osseuse, vue de face) by Loren Dann.
Top shelf sun-baked garage pop from Arizona. Gorgeous, ethereal vocals, incredible guitar tone, one of the best rhythm sections in the genre. Perfect soundtrack to chasing a mirage in the desert. Under the Counter Tapes
An apparently ambitious and personal work of progressive psychedelic folk rock. Many of the arrangements here are astounding. Supporting a good cause is certainly a nice bonus. Under the Counter Tapes
Sometimes one instrument stands out in a band and here I admire the very creative guitar-work, dissonant, edgy and daring. The whole band creates an energy, which seems to jump out off your speakers. If you love the dissonance of Sonic Youth and the aggressive drive of the Dead Kennedys you should give this a try. Dirk Radloff
I just love sunset and sunrise and throughout the album with this music it reminds me of what I feel every day when I see the sunset and sunrise. I hope I can hear you and see you in more live shows on internet. mbi286