ARTiST: Easton Stagger Phillips
ALBUM: One For The Ditch
BiTRATE: 152kbps avg
QUALiTY: EAC Secure Mode / LAME 3.97 Final / -V2 --vbr-new / 44.100Khz
LABEL: Blue Rose Records
GENRE: Folk/Rock
SiZE: 42.58 megs
PLAYTiME: 0h 36min 15sec total
RiP DATE: 2008-11-21
STORE DATE: 2008-10-17
Track List:
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01. Hell Of A Life 4:38
02. Highway 395 3:51
03. In Love With You 3:42
04. Stormy 2:43
05. Goodbye Blues 2:56
06. Red Bandana 3:21
07. Festival Song 4:07
08. She Was Gone 2:47
09. Too Many Rainy Days 2:28
10. One For The Ditch 3:04
11. Untitled 2:38
Release Notes:
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Those of us who have come of age in the era of big business music have rarely
enjoyed the autonomous glory of hearing a band for the first time with no
expectations. These days, it?s rare for an act to have not had its own Disney
show, a guest spot from Pharrell in a video, or saucy pictures all over the
Internet before we hear a single note. Therein lays the beauty of One for the
Ditch, the first collective release of songwriters Tim Easton, Leeroy Stagger,
and Evan Phillips.
Certainly, attentive fans of trans-genre, new folk singer-songwriters will know
Tim Easton. His career as travelling troubadour, folk artist, and amateur
watering hole enthusiast have garnered him acclaim from the likes of the men of
Wilco and Lucinda Williams. His partners in One for the Ditch may be less
recognizable in the lower 48, but in their primary residences of British
Columbia and Alaska, they are no secret. The three got together in Girdwood,
Alaska, during a winter storm and, with no plan to record, simply let the tape
run. What was produced in those short sessions is a showcase of talented
songwriting, sterling musicianship, and a not-so-subtle reminder that some of
America?s best music is still being made on the margins.
The album opens with ?Hell of a Life?. Frankly, this track sets the tone for the
whole record. The tale of a musician, lack of money, and squandered
opportunities is couched between ?La la La la, what a hell of a life?. Getting
paid takes a back seat to having ?some fun?. ?Highway 395?, a song framed around
the route running through British Columbia, is a contemplative ballad. A chorus
of ?I don?t really wanna waste my life no more? is not so much a reflection on
the value of a career in music, but rather the decision to prioritize emotional
truth over selfishness. ?Festival? is a laugh out loud take on the proliferation
of music festivals and the crowds that they attract. It pokes fun but feels
sincere and appreciative. ?She Was Gone? is a rowdy love song that features all
three delivering the chorus. Like most of the album, the melody is simple but
addictive.
All three musicians have an impact on One for the Ditch and each makes great
contributions, but Easton?s writing reflects a depth that few American
songwriters are mining. His is the title track and the anchor of the record. His
steady development since his debut as half of the Haynes Boys is impressive. His
most recent efforts have reflected a more political side, but his decision to
steer clear of that on this record displays his versatility and is reminiscent
of a young John Prine. No one who has listened to the Whipsaws? latest release,
60 Watt Avenue, will be shocked at the road weary and memorable tracks provided
by Evan Phillips. However, it?s Leeroy Stagger (who may be the least known in
the United States thanks to an aggressive touring schedule for Phillips?
Whipsaws) that lifts the record from solid to infectious. Every word that comes
out of his mouth rings true. Don?t be surprised if you find yourself returning
to his cuts time and time again.
If your interest lies in acoustic-driven singer-songwriter material, Easton
Stagger and Phillips?s debut is a must own for this year. Don?t wait for one of
these guys to show up on a Disney show before you buy the record. One for the
Ditch has done its part to keep honest American music alive for one more year.
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