Posted on May 10, 2019 in Album Reviews

Here is our review of ‘Undress’ the newbie from The Felice Brothers

By Rob Dickens

I remember where I was when I first heard The Felice Brothers – the street, who was in the car, the album’s warm sound. The band’s 2008 eponymous release was striking – their upstate New York bucolic musings which would later be claimed to be quintessential Americana music.

Just two years earlier they were performing on the sidewalks and subway platforms of New York City. Not that long after, the band’s talent burgeoning, they were playing Radio City Music Hall with Bright Eyes and appearing everywhere from the Newport Folk Festival to Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble.

With Undress (via Yep Roc Records), the band’s ninth release and first album in three years, The Felice Brothers have lost none of their wit or acerbic edge. In their somewhat ramshackle fashion counterposed with gorgeous harmonies, they manage to offer up a collection that is totally ‘on-scene’ to current, burning political and societal issues.

“Special Announcement” takes careful aim at financial corruption (“I’m saving up my money to be president” ) while “Poor Blind Birds” is a slow, multi-vocal tale of insightful regret (“We live in a world we can’t understand”). “TV Mama” sounds like it came of The Band’s Big Pink House.

My favourite lyrics (and song) are the beautifully reflective “Days Of The Years” (“Exchanging pleasantries under pleasant trees”). In the closer “Socrates” songwriting itself is on trial!

Undress continues, nay enhances, the wonderful legacy of The Felice Brothers.

Undress Track Listing

1) Undress

2) Holy Weight Champ

3) Special Announcement

4) Nail It On The First Try

5) Salvation Army Girl

6) Poor Blind Birds

7) TV Mama

8) The Kid

9) Hometown Hero

10) Jack Reminiscing

11) Days Of The Years

12) Socrates

The Felice Brothers embark on a substantial tour to promote the new release.

BANDCAMP LINK

Via Red Eye Australia and Yep Rec Records

Here is our review of ‘Undress’ the newbie from The Felice Brothers