Portland’s Blitzen Trapper have eschewed the glam and space rock sounds that featured heavily on their 2010 album Destroyer Of The Void in favour of embracing a rootsier, Americana sound. But don’t let that fool you: for their sixth serving of nostalgic rock, they have continued their love affair with all things ‘70s, just in a different way than we expected.
Chock full of Crosby, Stills And Nash and Dylan references, American Goldwing really benefits from a warm and full production. ‘Fletcher’ is a groove-laden, swaggering salvo of wah wah riffs and honeyed vocals, ‘My Home Town’ is a touching, country-tinged ode to “the good life” and the title track is a ramshackle, harmonica-led tune that is as cool as Fonzie in a freezer. Impressive stuff.