Truth & Salvage Co. recently released EP Salvage Songs, Vol. 1. It’s a four-song collection, a little something for the fans while the band works at getting its next full-length out.
The first track is “Games People Play,” which opens with a tight three- (maybe four?) part vocal harmony and kick drum. There’s a definite Band (as in The Band) feel, from the forceful vocals to the vintage organ. The song feels culled from another era (1968-ish), but it’s performed with such intensity and conviction that, for all of its throwback styling, it comes off as the real thing. “Cause we’re giving up up our sanity, for our pride and our vanity. Make you sad on humanity, till you don’t give a da-de-da.”
“Between the Lines” opens with the lament of a harmonica, encapsulating the bittersweet life of the touring band. Which is to say, this is likely an autobiographical song. With its tight harmonies, punchy beat and jangly guitar, hints at The Eagles are more like stage whispers. But this is a clever song: the refrain, “Between the lines,” refers to watching the lines on the road in order to drive safely down the highway. But there’s a lot more here (career, relationships) both between the lines and on the line.
Lest the heaviness of real-life subject matter overwhelm, the next song trades in poignant road metaphors for alt-country humor. The tongue-in-cheek “Them Jeans” is twangy ode to denim underscored by informative lines like, “South of the border they call ‘em pantalones.” Don’t say T&S Co. never taught you anything. A video for the song was filmed in early 2010 for Gap. (In it, the band wears Gap’s 1969 collection.) Watch it here:
The final song is “Whoa, You’re a Monkey,” a slightly Cajun-flavored stomper. Yes, the title sounds silly, but this is actually a sweet song playing with the “monkey on your back” idiom. “Even though you’re a monkey, you never bring me down,” is the culmination.
Whether or not these songs will make their way onto T&S Co’s forthcoming album is yet to be seen. That full-length release is slated for early next year. In the meantime, find Salvage Songs, Vol. 1 here. (Only 1,000 copies will be issued.)
Learn more about the EP here:
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