I almost passed over this album. I am not a big fan of folk or country.  Oh, I listen to a little now and then (with Kahuna in the house country music will be played) but unlike every other genre of music I don’t usually step outside my comfort zone of old favorites.  I am so happy I stretched and picked up Young Blood Blues by Hurray for the Riff Raff. 

The band has an old time  folk-ish bluegrass sound.  Alynda’s voice is beautiful and while the lyrics are very timely the music itself feels timeless. This is an album you want to take your time on.  The more you listen the more layers in the music and lyrics you discover.  

I don’t hear the creole that other reviewers have mentioned but songs like Take Me sound very country blues.  I don’t really have a favorite although the banjo on Young Blood Blues is just awesome and the fiddle on Slow Walk is cool as well and makes a light and melodious counterpart to the darkness and sharp edges of the lyrics.  

I really like Young Blood Blues and can happily recommend it.  You can only download it from Emusic and the band’s site but you can listen to it on their myspace page and on emusic.  I also have a live track from the band at last year’s SXSW in the sidebar.

Website for Hurray for the Riff Raff

Hurray for the Riff Raff myspace page

- Kit