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The latest from Athens, Ohio-based Southeast Engine is one of the first releases
on indie label Manasseh Records, and it’s a damn good one. Sometimes records are
compelling based on what they lack instead of what they boast, and what this
album lacks is bells and whistles. It’s just straight-up, honest,
middle-of-America songwriting that is delivered with the precision of a master
mechanic turning a wrench. Lead singer and songwriter Adam Remnant is a little
bit Ryan Adams, a little bit Springsteen, and a little like both generations of
Dylans.
The title track kicks this record off and is one of those open-road songs, where
Remnant’s crisp, smoky voice sails on top of simple, honest arrangements. “O.K.”
is another melodic gem, and while “Nothing’s Wrong” experiments a tad with some
loops in lieu of guitars, the focus remains on the vocal and the song itself.
“Cigarette” is sort of a dirty punk song, and “Where Are You Now?” is a solid
pop number.
“Call it What You Will,” my favorite track here, combines the elements of
alt-country with melodies and chords akin to the Beatles, and is a cry by
Remnant to stop labeling a relationship, and to accept it for what it is. You
could say the same thing about the music, as this is a genre that labels and
radio programmers find difficult to market, instead of just accepting it as
solid music. In a perfect world, Adam Remnant and Southeast Engine would motor
their way across the country and become as big as Wilco. But whether they do or
don’t, the songs here are still as big as anything.
~Mike Farley
mfarley@bullz-eye.com
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