Trampled by Turtles – Life Is Good on the Open Road

There is a lot of alt-country out there, but save a space for Tramped by Turtles....
Trampled by Turtles : Life Is Good on the Open Road
7.9 BanjoDad
2018 

Trampled by Turtles : Life Is Good on the Open Road

There is a lot of alt-country out there, but save a space for Tramped by Turtles. They distinctly channel the old ways that are still the best in country-folk, without going overboard into ol’ timey. They are definitely straightforward in their approach, but have the skills to back it up on Life Is Good on the Open Road.

As the record’s title indicates, this is a country trail album, from the gallop of opener “Kelly’s Bar” to the sad pluck & strum of the closer “I Learn the Hard Way”. The strongest tunes are when there’s a wry smile, like the good times of “Right Back Where We Started” and the kiss-off to hipster Los Angeles, “I Went to Hollywood”. Life also has an excellent “Thank You, John Steinbeck”, a tribute to the classic American novelist.

Life Is Good on the Open Road isn’t a reinvention of any sound (save for Trampled by Turtles’ habit of not having a drummer), but delivers on the good life & open road that America still promises.

Categories
Album Reviews
Album of the Week