John Butler Trio - Grand National

Band: John Butler Trio
Album: Grand National
Genre: Indie/Rock/Jam Band
Recommended Songs: TBD


Grand National is the newest of three releases from The John Butler Trio. Their previous two albums have gone platinum in Australia (where they're from) and I don't see why this one won't. Their songs seem find inspiration in a variety of styles: ballad, folk, blues, reggae, country, and psychedelic rock among others. Its a potpourri of ear candy. Not only do they experiment with different styles of songs, but instruments as well. The album features a series of instrumental solos from the harmonica as well as brass.

In experimenting with a variety of styles in one album there is a fine line between stagnation of creativity and discordant chaos that finds a perfect amount of eclecticism, and JBT walks this fine line with the ease of a tightrope walker. Their identity as a jam band shines through all of their songs, creating a thread that brings the tracks together into a whole that is greater than the sum of all its parts.

Get the album. Its upbeat, it features a harmonica, the solos are "jammin" (haha get it, they're a jam band... no? ok i'll shut up now), they're from Australia, and the songs are different enough that even if you don't like one or two of the odd songs on the album (I like them all), you'll find a song that suits you just fine.

Links to music:
Official Website
Myspace Music