Atlanta’s Connor Christian & Southern Gothic recently released a disc that really knocked me out, 90 Proof Lullabies, but expect more ‘90 Proof’ than ‘Lullabies’.  This is some great sounding southern alt/country-rock!  The band consists of Connor Christian (vocals, piano, guitar and harmonica), Shawn Thacker (drums and vocals), Joe Abramson (bass and vocals) and Nick Edelstein (organ, guitar, accordion).  Connor took off from home at age 14 and hasn’t looked back.  He has traveled all over the world giving him a very broad range of experiences and observations to draw from in his music.  Witness the bombastic Billy Bragg sounding Chipping Away, part protest anthem, part drinking song:

…….The mincing over words over torture and pain                                With each controversy every prisoner on the rack                                Well our flag becomes tarnished and may never come back…                The chipping away makes me weary                                                  We tried to do it their way                                                              We’re filled with venom and whiskey and self-righteousness                    We won’t stop till we reach for the day

Alongside Connor’s excellent songwriting, poignant lyrics and singing, his band is first rate too.  Nick Edelstein’s presence is very stong throughout.  All of the songs are originals except the best version of One Toke Over The Line that I’ve ever heard.  Other standout tracks include the opening cut Sunday Suit, Midnight Moon, and 3 Times which was featured in the award winning (45 International Festival awards!) independent film Last Stop For Paul in 2007, a film appropriately enough about backpacking around the world.  My guess is Connor Christian will be racking up some awards for 90 Proof Lullabies as well!

No related posts.