Tim Loud - Salvation
As with Tim Loud’s previous work, both with cult folk-punkers Bootscraper and solo, Salvation is difficult to pigeonhole, running from folk and Americana to metal and a fair few points between.
Opener Sucker for the Blues is acoustic country bordering on bluegrass, with glorious upright bass and pedal steel. What Am I takes us into folk-punk territory, like a faster, better Levellers with a touch of Steve Earle circa Copperhead Road. Lowdown & Ugly, Grief Whores and Sutures all bring to mind classic Lloyd Cole. The former adds a searing harmonica solo whilst Grief Whores has some crunching guitar. There There is a country-waltz. The title track kicks off in a similar vein before speeding into cowpunk territory. The album’s highlight is Great River, which is strangely uplifting and joyous despite an injection of the biblical doom of the Bad Seeds. The short interlude of Instrumental #1 shows just what talented musicians Loud and his band are. Closing duo of Hate and Debate could be eighties crossover punk-metal, all shouts, angst and giant riffs played hard and fast.
All in all, a diverse cracker of an album from a songwriter who should be far better known than he is.
9/10
