The Grand Slambovians "The Grand Slambovians"

Slambovian Records (2010)

There's something in the air...

• Every so often an album comes along that, for want of a better expression, knocks your socks off with its sheer energy. Not the kind of energy that sees bands bragging about how ‘heavy’ or ‘back to our roots’ their latest offering is, but the kind that makes your ears buzz with the heady addiction of that instant first listen attraction. Love at first spin

• Out in Austin earlier this year I passed a few days at the Enchanted Forest, a kind of haven for artistic outlaws. It’s a diverse collective down by the railroad off South Congress that numbered a life size Mouse Trap board game, and a troupe of elves among its bizarre exhibitions. They also host live gigs out amongst the ‘people trees’; these guys would fit right in.  You can tell just from the psychedelic cowboy sleeve artwork.

  Welcome to Slambovia. Imagine Brian Jonestown Experience with poignant Tom McRae style overtones and a dash of Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and you might struggle to comprehend such a beast. Obscurity in this sense points firmly to the Eldorado, the illustrious first-class carriage of originality. There’s nothing out there quite like this. ‘The Tran Slambovian BiPolar Express’ opens the account with a swagger and some mean slide guitar but are they trying too hard to be off the hook? Well yes, a little but it soon settles down and you can’t help but be reminded of Tom Petty when lead vocalist Joziah Longo sings ‘Very Happy Now’ and ‘Everybody Needs a Change’.

  By ‘Lost Highway’ the band are on a roll as Longo assures us he’s “Gonna visit that angel with the big flamin’ sword/Get the price of admission then go see the Lord” The band are slow workers having cut just four albums since forming under their previous but curiously still used moniker Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams. The whole Slambovian thing is an extension of their tight knit family environment, an open invitation to the listener to join their world. It’s an escape to an alternate reality which beckons you from the portals of ‘The Invisible’ and ‘The Grand Slambovians’.

  When you’re inside things turn a bit misty, like a dream you can’t quite remember or Lemonjelly with guns. Tracks like ‘Windmills’ and ‘Ravenous Ways’ take on a dreamlike quality without losing any of the energy of earlier numbers and by album closer ‘Northern Sea’ we are deep in Slambovian territory, sitars and all. They’re city folk (New York) but like a stripped down Alabama 3 they pay homage to southern roots music with a bohemian wink and a knowing hand on heart. They’re entertaining without being a sideshow and raw with real emotion. It can also be a little tongue in cheek in places without ever spilling over into farce.

  Like a hard drinking, fast living Willy Wonka this is Americana with a twist but unlike the urban spaceman, the Grand Slambovians do in fact exist.