The NDexpress

Review – Andrew Dean & The Farm Machine
“Way Out West”

It really kind of is. ‘Way out,’ I mean. Lyrically in particular, this collection isn’t your commonplace vision. A full movie plot in a Western saga song (“Ghost of Tarrytown”), a religious yodel (would that be a Godel?) and tightly produced Western Swing songs as well. Just a few samples of the variety of presentation threshed up in this collection from Andrew Dean & The Farm Machine.

Picks include uptempo Western Sw***er “Build A Bridge,” “High Plains Drifter” (a Bluesy Swing Western saga song), “Country Music” (self-explanatory) and the no-doubt-about-it Western Sw***er “Swingtown.” Beyond those there are also nice Country ballads (“Empty,” “Never Told Me,” “Moonlight” and “Old Time Love” including a Hank Williams-style Swing yodel). The song “The Cowboy Rides” has its Cattle Call-yodeling protagonist hanging up his saddle (gasp!) but actually being happy about it! Say it ain't so!!

You might try Andrew Dean & The Farm Machine's “Way Out West” for a somewhat different ride along the trail. Fourteen tracks, recommended.

-by Rick Huff