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Sunday, March 1, 2009

Review: Andy Hawk & The Train Wreck Endings - Tin Can Town


Andy Hawk & The Train Wreck Endings – Tin Can Town
2009, Andy Hawk


What would be the appropriate name for Americana Garage music? A melodically superior but definitely Lo-Fi mix of Rock, Country and Blues is the far of the day on Tin Can Town, the debut release from Andy Hawk & The Train Wreck Endings. Hawk is an enigmatic front man with a voice halfway between Jim Cuddy and Bruce Springsteen and an easy-going nonchalance that’s full of soul.

Andy Hawk seems entirely in his element on the blues tunes Tombstone and Pitchy & Time-Erratic Blues, but its country/rock hybrids where he shines brightest. Symphony Of 2am is a classic tune, and Think Too Much and Tin Can Town are required listening. Break Free is a beautiful, mournful country tune, balanced off by the hopeful, mid-tempo Maybe Someday. Real Gone Girl is my personal favorite, with banjo and electric guitar framing Hawk’s voice perfectly. Other highlights include Music From Another Room, I Never Thought To Ask and The Last Two In The Bar.

Andy Hawk & The Train Wreck Endings have a knack for surfing clichés without falling into them. Classic country sounds mix with rock and blues styles to create music like so much that’s come before yet distinct enough to be memorable and enjoyable. Tin Can Town is a refreshing return to the roots of the Americana genre. Not overly refined or produced, Andy Hawk & The Train Wreck Endings let their rough edges charm you into listening again.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Andy Hawk & The Train Wreck Endings at http://www.andyhawk.com/. You can purchase a copy of Tin Can Town at www.cdbaby.com/cd/andyhawk5.

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