Draw the Curtains
Artist: Will Hoge 
Label: Rykodisc
Length: 10/41:18

Irony of ironies: Will Hoge finally gets/accepts a new record deal, but half of the songs on this disc have been around for awhile, and most of them sound like they could have recorded thirty years ago.   Hoge, as always, exemplifies the best of '70's rock influences in his music, combining Bill Withers, The Band, southern rock, and Van Morrison, and somehow putting just enough of a modern spin on things that the result isn't completely dated. 

Long time fans of Hoge will recognize several of these songs.  "Washed by the Water", which recalls Al Green mixed with a New Orleans flavor, was performed on his last two tours.   "Dirty Little War", one of the many "relationship trouble" songs by Hoge, has been around for at least eight years, going back to Hoge's previous band.   The former is one of the standouts on the entire disc, melding gospel, rock, and a musical background that The Band would be pleased to call their own.

Previously, Hoge has written about broken and fractured relationships, and about life on the road, and this disc is no exception.   "When I Can Afford to Lose" and "I'm Sorry Now" follow in that tradition, and "The Highway's Home" is the latest road tune.  "Sex, Lies, and Money" somewhat mixes the two concepts together. 

So, if someone should ask what Mr. Hoge and his bandmates are up to these days, my answer would be, "About the same, really…and _it's great._"  Barring a radical shift in direction, Will Hoge has and will continue to perform Southern-fried American rock at its best.   And more of you should be paying attention, because what you're missing is amazing, especially live.

Brian A. Smith
30 October 2007