Although the opener, “Jump Up,” conveys joy, with lines like “My baby makes me wanna jump up and never come down,” the heartbreak that carved the room for that joy is apparent in the first keening electric lead, sent like a Roman candle from within a funky bedrock of Levon Helm-esque drums and low-down bass. Acoustic-driven ballad “Day Is Done,” by contrast, shows the darkness of an imploding love affair: “I brought you roses while you were sleeping, then I turned around and you were gone,” Malachowski sings in his unshowy, hurt-drenched voice, leavening resignation with ascending guitar figures. “I’m Going Down To Newberg” is that rare rave-up that veers effortlessly between two different time signatures, sounding very much like J.J. Cale fronting Led Zeppelin. The Dickie Betts-style country rock of the instrumental “New Circle Ride” offers a breath of mountain air from a window rolled down on the way to a smoky, BBQ-smellin’ roadhouse. www.davidmalachowski.com.
This article appears in July 2010.
