MUSIC: The ‘Mericans Play Providence

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic

Chris Daltry

The mood was festive Saturday night at The Parlour, where The ‘Mericans rocked the house with a tremendous show. The Providence band opened the first of two nights of amazing music with a full performance of their new release, A Tribute to Providence, a concept album featuring 20 cover tunes from 20 different RI bands.

Opening Act: Girls Rock

First on stage were two stars of Girls Rock Rhode Island, Maddy Wood and Emma Rome. Girls Rock is a great local organization that uses music to foster empowerment and collaboration among RI’s young ladies. Emma’s set, featuring the singer on “House of the Rising Sun” with only her electric bass accompanying, was especially well received. Both artists show a lot of promise and we look forward to seeing them around Providence in the future.

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First Set

The ‘Mericans then took the stage for two full sets of A Tribute to Providence. The new release, available on vinyl, CD, or free digital, is a tour-de-force of local music. It’s an Americana/Alt Rock homage to a number of RI bands, some more well-known than others. Making the album was an ambitious task; it covers musical genres from metal and punk to folk and blues. The good news is, it rocks!

Opening with the unhurried groove of Low Anthem’s “Apothecary Love,” the band kicked it up a notch with String Builder’s “Forces.” Both songs provided a great backdrop for Michael Moore’s cascading guitar swells. The show actually featured a three guitar attack with Moore and ‘Mericans leader Chris Daltry joined by Matt Howard of the band The Brother Kite.

Deer Tick’s “20 Miles” was another early highlight, with the lush guitar sound providing a little more warmth than the original version. A rockin’ take on Roz and the Rice Cakes “Yellow Fields” followed, while the indie pop sound of The Nonpareils came through nicely on “X-Ray.” They closed the first set with a haunting version of Fern Knight’s “If I Could Write a Book About You.”

Second Set

The second set opened to the rockabilly chords of “Tapeworm,” originally by Honeybunch. Momentum grew amid the pounding guitar attack featured on “Time Wraps,” a Velvet Crush power pop masterpiece. Later, the spirit of MC5 was evoked on Three Hydrogen Terror’s punk classic “Radio to Saturn vs. Hackamore Brick.”

One of the more challenging songs to learn, but one of the most satisfying to hear, was “Honeychain,” a Throwing Muses original. It’s pure cosmic Americana, a great tribute to perhaps the most critically acclaimed RI band covered. Not to be outdone, they moved into The Raindogs classic “May Your Heart Keep Beating,” a song once “in rotation on MTV,” band leader Chris Daltry noted.

Next up, was a semi-original tune. With an opening power chord worthy of Neil Young and Crazy Horse, the band rocked out on “Pawtucket,” previously recorded by Daltry’s Purple Ivy Shadows. The tempo slowed briefly for a moody version of Allysen Callery’s “Winter Island,” a spooky love song that rolls over you like a flash fog at midnight. They closed the set with crowd pleasing rockers “Country Boy” by Miracle Legion and “Embrace the Train,” originally recorded by The Figgs.

A Worthy Band

The ‘Mericans were “spot on” all night, building momentum as they worked through the demanding set. Daltry’s vocals, often quivering on the edge of collapse, propel the music forward. At times, his voice actually “jangles” a little, much like his guitar. Not to be forgotten, the rhythm section of Paul Williamson on bass and Matt Rozzero on drums keeps things in order, while occasionally stepping out for a solo.

The band should be admired for their efforts. Typically, albums like this focus on a single artist; covering twenty bands seems overwhelming, but they pull it off with great style. Let’s hope they take it out on the road – this kinda’ thing could catch on!

Ken Abrams reviews Roots, Rock and Blues for GoLocal. He can be contacted at [email protected].

MUSIC: The ‘Mericans Play Providence

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