Sundowning at the Station is a stunning solo debut from Derek “Doc” Feldman that sees its release via This Is American Music today. Joining Doc are the LD50 made up of a few friends including James Jackson Toth (aka Wooden Wand).
This is dark americana with a dip into the southern gothic but it’s also shot through with an unexpected beam of light which isn’t that easy to describe…but amongst all the regret and mourning there’s something strangely uplifting, an overwhelming sense of a lightning of burden. Some of the songs lend themselves perfectly to late night sing-a-long thanks to unforgettably original lyrics…”shame on you Texas for pushing her away”.
The songs have a real rawness to them, the simplicity of some are achingly beautiful, Let it Go really brings to mind the late great Townes Van Zandt…”if I had another day, I’d say what I need to say, I’d spend my time with you” and the subtle harmony part way through will catch your breath.
There are many great moments shot throughout Sundowning at the Station from the weary sounding Battle Hymn on which you can hear that burden he pushes on through another day to the finale weighted which disappears skywards on a lightened load as it sonically disintegrates…but you’ll be back for more.