Album Review - Pantomime Villains - The Outlaw Orchestra

We were thrilled to be sent the new album Pantomime Villains from The Outlaw Orchestra as we have of course missed the chance to see them for the first time at this year’s Buckle and Boots festival.  Describing themselves as “Heavy Grass” I’m not sure that mere words on a page can do their music justice!

The album opens with Take A Bow which from the start is thigh slapping toe tapping southern music.  The harsh sound of the electric guitar is beautifully underlined by the picking of a banjo to give a fascinating sound.  Chicken Fried Snake, the first single off the album, opens with just a plucked banjo punctuated by a beat, which is then joined by electric guitar and pounding drums to truly demonstrate the musicianship of this “orchestra” , combining with stand up bass and a lap steel.  The vocals, when they come in, are very 70s rock – imagine motorhead listing a very unique takeaway menu! Hanging Tree takes us straight to the bayou with its fast banjo, faster singing and duelling guitars.

Whiskey Drinking Liar is a warning tale - “Should have listened to your Momma”– but at least he is being honest! This track is mainly driven by the vocal and you can picture the denim clad bad boy sitting at the bar with a half empty bottle of bourbon and a shot glass.  The vibe and the energy are constant through the whole album though each track has its own styles from the guitar driven Arabia to the more rockabilly than hillbilly Jumpin’ Jive – its hard to sit still thorough this one! 

It Happened Again is a more measured song, about needing to score – but his addiction is to guitars!  Clever and humorous – and probably relatable to many musicians -and their partners!  Voodoo Queen has a Spanish style guitar opening that goes on and on followed by  a slow beat of banjo and drum. Growly voice, stand up bass, there is a smoky feel invoking the spirit of old time Jazz Clubs.  The ending speeds up to almost a flamenco with much clapping and foot stamping called for.  Too Much Wille Nelson again has its own style and its own humour – it’s a bit Jimi Hendrix and it explores the different ways of listening and emulating the habits of some of the Country Greats.  The album ends with possibly the most “country” sounding song – Send Some Whiskey Home has less rock and bluegrass influence and a real chance to appreciate not only the musicianship but also the quality of Dave Roux’s voice

Whether playing the big barn stage or the more intimate party atmosphere on the paddock stage it is sure that the Outlaw Orchestra would have raised the roof at Buckle and Boots or at any festival.  It’s Heavy Metal meets bluegrass, it’s a little bit bonkers, and you might feel like they don’t take themselves too seriously.  

While my feet were tapping, my face was grinning the whole way through listening to this album

Pantomime Villains, the debut album from The Outlaw Orchestra is available now on all major platforms

Find and follow The Orchestra on facebook, their website or in a bar down South - Southampton that is!