Backyard Tire Fire are largely known for the heat put off by their live show, for good reason. These guys tour almost constantly and the on stage comfort with a crowd and each other comes across in wave after wave of fluid powerful rock.
But this record could elevate their studio work to the already high level of the live show! Ed Anderson is a truly gifted songwriter, his ability to put his finger on the pulse of regular folks living normal lives and turn that into an engaging song is extraordinary. Probably because he is a regular guy himself, except his job happens to be to tour the country and play rock-n-roll. The album starts off with the gutteral guitar/bass line of Roadsong #39 which will make sure you're paying attention, if you don't like this song you don't like rock-n-roll music! Followed by a tale of a girl takin her shot at life in the big city once again anchored by the brothers Anderson laying down a great groove. Learning to Swim could be about the bands comfort with their level of success, or it could be about your life. Next up is Brady, a happy swinger about a guy getting his first redlight girl. 3 more songs that probably sound like the story of someone you know bring us to the title track, a mid tempo rocker with the simple message that its ok to be happy where you are in life. Then one of stand out tracks for me, A Thousand Gigs Ago. Clearly this is a song built from the experiences of a life largely spent on the road chasing your dream. Ive rambled enough.
This is a great rock-n-roll record!