Muddy Creek & Co. of the rural “y’allternative” route has returned with a follow-up to their largely successful debut album In Front Of God and Nobody. Recorded at Raise The Roof Studios in Louisville, Kentucky and produced by Steve “Catfish” Wilson, Fighters & Lovers is a great progression of the stories and themes introduced during the first release. The songs are hopeful, exciting and introspective. The sound is straight-up alt-country rock for fans of Gram Parsons, The Old 97’s, The Jayhawks or BR549.
Hailing from Southern Illinois. In the neighborhood of Lawrenceville, located off East Highway 50. A road that trippers have called “the loneliest road in America”. Which mainly refers to parts of the highway that makes its way through Nevada. However, the highway stretches from coast to coast. I can’t speak for the other states but the road that I know personally, starts in Lawrence County and can whisk you away to East Louis in the matter of a couple of hours. While the highway still serves as the main street for a handful of towns. Some places beyond the road aren’t even suspected to exist. Nevertheless, there are fragmented sections of the highway that embody a certain kind of lonely restless feeling. There is an isolated electric connection between metropolitanism and nature. The music that is produced along Highway 50 is a true reflection of this magnetic energy. Muddy Creek & Co. has and is its own culture. It’s impressive.
Muddy Creek & Co. consists of Parker Fyffe on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Ian Kemper harmony vocals and bass guitar. The blazing lead guitar of Wes Marvel and drummer Josh Moats. As on their debut album the sound of the musical motif on Fighters & Lovers is strongly summertime imbued. Meaning it’s best enjoyed out on some sunny country lane on the outskirts of town, or a soirée held down by the river with your friends. It’s opening track “My Favorite Song” starts as if someone has pressed play and the song comes roaring towards you at 100 miles an hour. The song provides smoky reassurance that despite those rough episodes in life, ultimately “it’s gonna be alright”. The harmony vocals between Fyffe and bass player Ian Kemper are as smooth as fresh cream. The lyrics are poignant and also possess jovial qualities. The band are prolific songwriters and are out there playing a heavy schedule as well. Speaking from experience those live shows are like workouts and eventually result in a band being tight. It’s how it stays exciting. The physical exertion ratchets up the proverbial chain. As a performer you feel unwound. Every song feels good.
I must say that there is nothing like a Muddy Creek & Co. show. Their crowds are there for the good times that ensue. They have dedicated fans who show up to dance. Fighters & Lovers is for those who exercise their wandering souls with their dancing feets. Young or old, the crowd is invincible.
While there are many roots rock delights on Fighters & Lovers, the band also expresses their extensive inspirations with an expressive cover of Bill Wither’s “Ain’t No Sunshine.” This version opens up a totally new dimension and dynamics to the song and all the while stirs in a soulful seductive edge. Recognize the sunshine now? “Fighters & Lovers” captures the spirit of general camaraderie. It deals with the human condition of just wanting the best for yourself, your family and friends. No matter how loony they may be, the song is a blessing from the band to you. “Keep On Grindin’” is like an old friend telling you that despite hardship a person can still raise themselves up. It’s all in taking that first step. The most difficult step. “You can make it, mang!” The loud direct punch of “Peach Tea” is an ornery rocker that is one that blazes and is sort of like holding on to one of those Roman Candles from the 1980’s. One hand in the fireworks another wrapped around a cold beer. The true freedom of being free, “Peach Tea” conjures up times from the past for a lot of listeners and those who keep the spirit alive.
Muddy Creek & Co, Fighters & Lovers is available on all major streaming platforms. In some places summertime hasn’t changed. It becomes more than a season, it’s an observation…a celebration. A prolonged tambourine dance across a naked, grassy field. – Doc
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