The Crux - Now, Ferment [Album]

Bite The Hand Productions

September 15, 2009, 01:04 AM

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There’s a serious call these days for a banjo and mandolin to entertain the youth. The emergence of classical folk and country is both inspirational and dirty. I say inspirational because country/folk here in America has by and large become a stale top 40 game of wannabe rock stars and fake ass divas. I love the old shit, and I think most of my generation feels the same. That’s why we're seeing this pull for the old style of folk. Bands like The Crux are filling a gap left in our hearts when “Roping the Wind” became the standard country sound. I thank them for that.

The Crux’s debut album “Now, Ferment” is a blend of all the influences we hear in this emergent genre. The almost punk beat drumming, with a good dollop of that driving train engine sound, a slew of classical instruments, from mandolin to banjo, and let’s not forget the dirty. I’ve hosted folk/punk bands from all over the Northwest at my house, and I can tell you this. They all dig the vegan cooking, and they revel in the natural feeling of being filthy, God bless ‘em. And why not? It’s a philosophy of low-fi standards, DIY fashion, and anti-corporate fetishism. The idea of a jug of wine, a fiddle, and some good people being all we need for good times.

The Crux has a winner here with “Now, Ferment”. It runs the gamut of folk style, from floor stomping barn burners like “Every Crooked Finger”, to sad blues numbers like “The House of The Clinging and The House of The Gentle”. We have even got a drunken sing along with “Goodbye Madgie, Goodbye”. There is some mighty fine harmonica harping on “Clown and Bard”, courtesy of a Mr. Justin Walters, and we got a chorus of pirates chipping in for “Every Crooked Finger”. I keep coming back to that track, and sure enough it’s my favorite on “Now, Ferment”. “Every Crooked Finger” is a grimy, fast paced brawler. I could easily listen to this track while kicking ass in some pub, half gone on Jack, and full of ire.

The Crux has created an impressive debut album. "Now, Ferment" can not only hold it’s own in the field of modern folk, but it’ll surely drink your album under the table while doing so.

Kudos cats. Keep it up.

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