Deep Elm Records is a label I am really familiar with. Knowing this label you know you will always get something original and pleasant to the ears. Deep Elm was responsible for my first Fightstar experience, Last Days Of April, and many more. With that being said comes a very unique group called 500 Miles to Memphis.
Named after the distance from the band´s hometown of Cincinnati to Graceland, 500 Miles To Memphis plays rowdy, insanely catchy, "Country Punk." You´re probably like "Huh? Country Punk?" Yes this band gives you a very original pop punk flavor of Green Day if they were from Nashville, TN. This album features awesome production with Erwin Musper at the helm. These boys incorporate all the features of country and mix it up with rock. Punk. Let me just say it’s awesome!
From the very beginning you can hear the country flavor of the almost swing dancing kicking in with the distorted guitars on "All My Friends Are Crazy." I was completely thrown off by this album and skeptical at first but the vocals and everything are down really well. The slide guitars follow on the moderate rocker "Broken, Busted, Bloody."
It´s more the music of the album that is country. The vocals don´t remind me of country at all and more a pop punk similarity of Billy Joe from Green Day. This band is really underestimated and I think every fan of rock should check this CD out. It´s really refreshing to the ears.
Overall this album really surprised me and I didn´t think I would like it as much as I do. My Favorites on the album include "All My Friends Are Cray", "Darlin", "I´ll Miss You (Whatever)," Go pick up on the great deals Deep Elm has on their website, www.deepelm.com
Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol has a side project called The Reindeer Section, a supergroup comprising members of famous Scottish bands including Astrid, Belle & Sebastian, Idlewild, Teenage Fanclub and Mogwai. They have released two albums to date on the Belfast label Bright Star.
