The O’s is Dallas, Texas duo Taylor Young and John Pedigo, who peddle a luminous, shimmering folk-pop-country-rock hybrid of vocals, banjo, percussion, Lowebro and harmonica. Thunderdog is the group’s third album — it has been given its UK and Irish release by Glasgow’s small but ambitious Electric Honey label (and keeping the Scottish connection they have just wrapped up a well-received UK tour with Del Amitri).
This is hands in the air, pick-a-cause Americana, full of joyous harmonies and stomping kick drum. It’s 1am on a Friday night, in a town far away from home, in the company of good-hearted strangers. Young and Pedigo are former members of Polyphonic Spree and the traces of that musical adventure linger in the soaring vocal parts and rush of melody. The album opens with the restrained fervour of Outlaw, a rousing, feel good introduction that sets the tone: one of impetus and industry. It’s one of those charming records that at a certain volume — and maybe after a glass or three of wine — feels like having the band playing live in your living room.
Dallas is the duo’s love letter to their home city. It’s fitting that the band most commonly name-checked by reviewers seems to be the Avett Brothers, as this and many other of the tracks on the album, such as the gorgeously tender Found The One, are reminiscent of that band’s lightness of touch and flair for understated melancholy.
Review by: Rachel Devine
Released 24th Feb via Electric Honey