The Beautiful Sunsets "Coalminers and Moonshiners"

Global Seepej Records, 2012

Folkier offering from At the Spine frontman

• After a series of personal disasters Mike Spine split his musical output into two definite camps. At the Spine remained his rockier signature while with The Beautiful Sunsets he sought to express a more pastoral and , dare one say, organic sound. One full of harmonies and acoustic guitars figures.

• And that is what is;  A gentle journey through some classic Americana song writing. Musically unadventurous but sonically pleasing as the performance and production are beautiful, restrained yet full of emotion and a sense of honesty.  The perception from the notes to the album is that this project provided a core of stability in a time of great change but this is not an album wearing a shattered heart or persona on its sleeve. More of a gentle exorcism as the redemptive care of music restores the strength of the musician.

  There are no game changers here. A series of songs honestly produced that grow with each listen. The version of ‘Dirty Old Town’ is not the ragged glory of the Pogues or even the croak of Rod but an even handed take on a classic. This is a blue collar album . One that reflects a craft and a craftsman. Good work.