After a self-financed national tour in 2010, country punk band Red Collar went on hiatus, leaving frontman Jason Kutchma on his own to write and hone a bunch of new material. What resulted were two Americana tinged albums, both with renewed attention to storytelling and songcraft yet distinctly different: the characteristically punk infused Red Collar album Welcome Home and Pastoral, Kutchma’s solo debut of folk with newly formed quintet, the Five Fifths. The latter is a contemplative album and finds Kutchma struggling with life as a working musician, in all its limitations and promises. Standouts include the Springsteen Nebraska flecked “End of the World”, the bass clef mnemonic inspired “Every Good Boy Does Fine”, the raucous honky tonk song “Teenage DMZ” which bridges the two musical projects, and the unapologetic “I Will Not Be Broken.” If you’re already a Red Collar fan, new to Kutchma’s music, or are just in the mood for some top rate Americana music, then Pastoral is definitely something you should give a listen. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Craig Finn, Red Collar, Son Volt, Bruce Springsteen, Uncle Tupelo, Bry Webb