Having only released their second album ‘Yearling’ in 2011, you might say that a reissue so soon could be seen as rather conceited of The Parson Red Heads; however, this is the last thought that should cross your mind. No vanity has been involved whatsoever in the making of the original album, or the re-release of this deluxe extended edition. What The Parson Red Heads quite interestingly chose to do was ease themselves into a solid fan base by issuing the album the first time around via a small independent label in Portland. Although receiving relatively good reviews, it never gained the full attention it so very much deserved and slipped through the cracks a little bit and was soon out of print.
Some artists would have just left the album behind, took a different direction and released their new material (which The Parson Red Heads do actually have). But, no! These tracks actually mean something to them, and they are fighting to give them the recognition they deserve before closing that chapter of their life and unveiling their new tunes. That’s pretty cool, right? Hooking up with Second Motion Records for the reissue, this foursome have added 6 more tracks to the previous 11 (which were originally intended for the album, but due to length restrictions, had to be released as a separate EP) and have brought us a melodic montage of the best parts of timeless folk rock/country pop.
You should definitely look out for the following tracks: ‘Burning Up The Sky’, the album’s opening track which we mentioned a year ago. With warmth in abundance, this track epitomizes a blissfully happy and completely compatible married couple singing along in harmony (yes, apparently they do still exist) to the notes of a harmonica that would take centre stage in a Bob Dylan song; ‘Time Is Running Out’ has the standard classic country whines, and melodies, there’s also a really special guitar solo to look out for. On first listen I imagined I was walking my horse along a dusty road, possibly at sunset. (Not really sure why I’m walking it and not riding it; perhaps I prefer a more leisurely pace when bonding with my fictitious animals.) ‘Hazy Days’ has the classic psychedelic harmonies and similar sounding arrangements of The Beatles; ‘Jenny’ opens with the previously mentioned harmonica that I actually can’t get enough of. This song would be of particular interest to you if your name is Jenny and you are a lost soul. Or if you know someone called Jenny, who you want to come home. It’s kinda sad, yet beautiful and with raw male vocals laid bare, this highlights the effects of a recording process where The Parson Red Heads were more focused on the emotions of their lyrics coming through than hitting every note spot on.
It’s quite fitting to finish by mentioning the wrap song, ‘Here It Comes Again’, which ends the album perfectly. This song is an existential dream and I've been crooning along to the lyrics “the mountain asked me if I thought I ever really felt that I was free” like I've been living in a tent in the middle of nowhere having a moment of self-realisation ever since I first heard the track. This could be said for the album in its entirety as well. After my moment of reflection I have only two things left to say. One of them is to the mountain, and proceeds as follows. “Yes mountain, after this album, I do feel free.” The second is to you. I forgot to mention that two quarters of the band are of the ginger haired variety. This is a big talking point when the band name crops up, and after this invigorating album with arrangements and lyrics exuberating loveliness, I’d like to take the time to lay the “gingers don’t have souls” myth to sleep. They do have souls! Well, these ones do anyway.
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