This week I am highlighting some new and upcoming releases that are exclusively out of my home-state. I know I mention bands that call the Lone Star State home realtively often, but this week I am making it a point to really be obnoxious about it…
Purgatory Road, the 8th studio album from Marble Falls, TX resident John Arthur Martinez (Official / Myspace) is a well-rounded record that dislays a range of sounds that fit rather easily into the realm of Country music. The album opens with 3 tunes that share an almost foreboding darkness to them. Tales of regret and pain intertwine with smoky electric guitars and excellent fiddle playing give the tracks an edge that is sorely lacking in most of Top 40′s happy-country. “Utopia”, the title track and “Cant Outdrink The Truth” would be more at home in a dark, dangerous roadhouse bar than they would a small town honky-tonk.
Martinez effortlessly changes gears from the heavier sound to a lighter tone. The rest of the album features songs that provide a nod to his heritage “Que No Pueda Ver”, as well as hints of pre-arena filling Garth. What Martinez lacks in sheer vocal range, he makes up effectively with a warm vocal tone that seems to suit each track well, regardless of the tempo or subject matter. Dobro, fidlde, steel and mandolin are strong presences that keep this record from easily being lumped into an overly generic, rock dominated ”Texas/Red Dirt” pile. As with recent records from Danny Balis and Deryl Dodd, Purgatory Road is just good, solid Country.
LISTEN: John Arthur Martinez – “Purgatory Road”
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LISTEN: John Arthur Martinez – “Cant Outdrink The Truth”
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