Exebelle & the Rusted Cavalcade - Antipoison Creek Sessions

All Music Guide

Faced with the departure of erstwhile frontman C.E. Wright in 2008, the remaining members of Exebelle the Rusted Cavalcade returned to the drawing board and sketched out a new sound, one that built upon the alt country tones of their debut EP with thicker harmonies, varied instrumentation, and overt nods to their native Virginia. The Antipoison Creek Sessions is certainly brief, its four tracks barely approaching 20 minutes in length, yet the disc capably showcases the band's sprucedup approach to roots music, with every member contributing songwriting credits and lead vocals. Foremost among them is lead guitarist Philip Heesen, who cofounded the band with Wright and helms several songs here, from the bouncing bluegrass strains of "Flood Walls" to the atmospheric "What If We Fell." If "Flood Walls" is the EP's brightest tune an Appalachian, footstomping number geared for campfire singalongs then "What If We Fell" is its nocturnal cousin, tailormade for the lonely, contemplative hour...s after the campfire has died out. Heesen wields a fine voice on both songs, alternating between light twang and Wallflowersstyled huskiness, but the band's harmonies still command the bulk of the spotlight. Sustained triads and thick, countrychoral chords help widen Heesen's melodies, and the band's vocal strength comes to a head on "Lonesome Canyon," a rainy day track penned by bassist Ryan Owenby and sung by all three members. It's a relatively simple song, but the bandmates dress up its casual bounce with cello, homemade percussion, multiple guitars, and pristine harmonies, proving that new life can still be found in old traditions. - Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide Read more Less