Originally from Ontario, Americana artist Darren Eedens relocated to Cardiff, Wales and expanded his mix of bluegrass and country into a full-band sound with his new incarnation, Darren Eedens and The Slim Pickin’s. The ten boot-stomping tracks that make up this self-titled debut are filled with songs about drink, love, family dysfunction, and being on the road and are presented alongside scorching fiddle, thumping bass, galloping drums, and Eedens’ break necked guitar/banjo. Notable tracks include: the opener “31”; the toe-tapping drinking song “Rye Whiskey”; the twangy “Forget Me Nots”; the poignant “Well, Well, Well”; the atmospheric “Whiskey and Bars”; and the closing track, “Hit the Ground Running.” Darren Eedens really takes his music to the next level with the addition of The Slim Pickin’s and puts out a great album in the same vein and quality as fellow Canadian band Elliott Brood. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Deer Tick, Lucero, Richmond Fontaine, The Sadies, Uncle Tupelo