Yardsale, the self-proclaimed “second most rootin’-est, tootin’-est band in Louisville”, may just be on its way to becoming Louisville’s first most rootin’-est tootin’-est band with their new album, Knock Alley West. Following up 2008’s acclaimed live EP Yardsale This Week, the group pulled out all the stops for Knock Alley West and nearly doubled the size of their band – and consequently, their wardrobe. The end result is a unique sound, equal parts twang, Exile-era Stones, and pop, that can only be described as “Yardsale-esque” (unless you use the description in the first part of the sentence, of course.)
Featuring live favorites such as the country stomp of “Dream of Amarillo”, the balls-to-the-wall “Until I Can’t Remember”, and the apocalyptic “Mississippi’s Flooding”, Knock Alley West is evidence that more than just personnel and wardrobe are evolving within Yardsale. Recorded in Louisville at Downtown Recording, the album is easily the best sounding recording the group has put out to date, to say nothing of the quality of the songwriting and performance, and features contributions from a number of Louisville favorites - Catherine Irwin (Freakwater), the Sandpaper Dolls, Neil Hulsewede and Jordan Forst (Adventure).
The new album caps off a year of that saw Yardsale’s profile grow higher thanks to numerous acclaimed live performances such as an opening slot for Scott Miller and the Commonwealth, and a stop at at Cincinnati’s Midpoint Music Festival, as well as a track (“Down Below”) on Sonablast Records’ Louisville Lullabies.
Most recently Yardsale’s core lineup of Jacob Lee (guitar, harmonica, vocals), Kirk Kiefer (bass, vocals), Colin Garcia (drums, vocals), Chris Scott (guitar, vocals), and Andrew Rhinehart (keyboard, guitar, mandolin, vocals) was augmented by a new member, Ellen Cherry (backup vocals) as well as a horn section, the Huckleberry Horns (Elmer White and Melanie Dillman). There are no signs of slowing down, with plans for regional touring and a major promotional push for Knock Alley West to start off 2010. Be thankful that the group is so good looking and their music so arresting – you’re going to be seeing and hearing a lot of them.
For more information go to www.yardsaleband.com
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