Recommended for Americana Fans: Amanda Ann Platt and the Honeycutters
I spend many hours exploring artists unfamiliar to me on Spotify. This week I came across this band. I’d never come across any mention of them before and thought other Americana fans here might enjoy them.
New York born and transplanted to North Carolina, Amanda Ann Platt is an excellent songwriter who’s asserted she’s as much influenced by Springsteen and Tom Petty as by Classic Country artists. Although a cursory listen might suggest the music is Country (due to the presence of pedal steel and mandolin and the overall rhythmic feel), the writing is more sophisticated and not hobbled by adherence to familiar Country tropes. In other words, it stands up to repeated listening. I particularly like "On The Ropes". On this particular record, the utilization of a Strat, incorporating bluesy bends and a Knopfler-esque tone imparts a Rock tinge that is distinctly different from Tele chicken-pickin’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDVVjPva0vI&list=OLAK5uy_lXj0YAS5kf7T47Eu-vEExnAyKAGjCSggk&index=2
FYI, I like Ryan Bigham's voice a lot. Haven't decided about his songs, yet. I have a love/hate relationship with Jerry and the boys. When the playing is tight and in tune, it can be magical. When it's sloppy and out of tune, I have very little tolerance. It's not like I'm singling them out, though -- I don't like sloppy, out-of-tune playing by anyone ! |
I did do a bit more listening. I find his music pleasant enough but ultimately it doesn't grab me in a way that would make me want to buy any of his CDs. Purely subjective. I've recommended certain music I like to other people and they've had a similar response. As the saying goes: "There's no accounting for taste." Why we like what we like is, for me, a fascinating topic that doesn't get explored in much depth on the forum. Perhaps this is so because not all the factors involved are conscious. For example, I love the sound of some records. If they have lyrics, I wouldn't care if I couldn't understand what was being sung. The sound is acting upon me physiologically and psychologically in a way I find very enjoyable. |
I couldn't ask for a more genuine response @stuartk . Appreciate that! |
