The Jimmyriggers "I Stand In The Weeds"

Independent, 2010

An encouraging step backwards for Montreal trio.

• Following on from their well received debut 'Travelling Salesman, Killer on the Run', The Jimmyriggers have taken an introspective approach and peered inside their souls to search for the roots behind the country rock façade. With 'I Stand in the Weeds' they have at least begun the journey to trace this lineage. It’s almost as though, rather than evolving they have come to understand that to truly realize themselves they had to retreat. The result is a blend of the first record’s brighter tones along with undercurrents of a more rural nature and the further the band travel the latter path, the more comfortable with themselves they sound.

• We are introduced to the album through several standard Jimmyriggers rockers, including various potential singles such as ‘Sleepwalking’, ‘Half in Shadow’ and ‘I’m Going To Make Her Mine’ but they lack any cutting edge musically or lyrically and are pretty bland affairs truth be told. ‘Lay me Over the Water’ brings a respite and is a more than half decent song played with dexterity, sung with flair and harmony and mixed with far more subtlety than some of the faster tempo numbers.

  There is an air of Tom Petty-meets-REM to a lot of Andre Kirchhoff and David Pearce which can be hit and miss. It seems like as a band they are at a critical point, a crossroads has been reached. ‘One Man Divided’ leaves me just that, although instrumental ‘Count Your Blessings Before The Hangman Cometh’ anticipates a change in direction as a wonderful hop, skip and jump of acoustic guitar and fiddle, a burst of pure adrenalin and two-step inducing dynamics enchanting in its simplicity. A piece of pure americana, lyrics neither needed nor welcome.

  ‘Modern Warfare’ provides the false dawn before the dark, brooding alt country of ‘Rattle my Cage’ exposes the Jimmyriggers I would like to hear more of followed by a rendition of the Rolling Stones’ ‘Connection’ that sounds like it’s being covered by Keith Richards’ old friend Gram Parsons. Interesting stuff. ‘Thieves and Beggars’ and the title track also point towards a voyage of self discovery. Hopefully this can be a stepping stone and I look forward eagerly to finding out what The Jimmyriggers come up with next.