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Album Details

• Artist: The Walkmen
• Album: A Hundred Miles Off
• Label: Record Collection
• Year of Release: 2006
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: mschmitt on 2006-12-06

Rising stars The Walkmen have had a lot on their plate lately. The Washington DC five-some have risen out of former bands such as Jonathon Fire Eater and The Recoys to guest star on the FOX series "The O.C." and being work on their own novel. In addition to all this, the band has finished their third album, A Hundred Miles Off. The album is most notable for breaking away from both the band’s and the genre’s standards by using piano, brass, percussion, and other odd instruments in their songs. This can be found nicely blended with standard rock instruments in the opening track "Louisiana" and eerie use of an organ-like keyboard in "All Hands and the Cook." Waltor Martin’s vocals are the next most notable feature on the album. His Bob Dylan-esque style brings a hauntingly beautiful vintage quality to the album. A chill runs through the listener’s spine during the emotional wails and drones especially in "This Job Is Killing Me." Backing him up are surfer-styled guitars lacing complex, unique, and bouncing drum beats. When all this is blended efficiently with horns and keyboards and tambourines the result is a progressive, clearly defined song rhythm that makes A Hundred Miles Off simply a fun, interesting, album to listen to. If one can accept hearing horns backing surfer guitar riffs and Martin’s strikingly unique vocal ability, A Hundred Miles Off will be a gem of a find. The songs are well-crafted, well-balanced, and just plain good. The album, the band, and the future for both look bright and promising.

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