The album The Devil's Dutchman is the third disc by The Memphis Radio Kings. It employs a number of unique stylistic efforts that reflect the band's roots sound. You can hear the album open and closes as if it were being played on a phonograph, classic!! 25 will get you 10 opens musically as if hearing the sounds of an on-coming train, Tony's drums and Tim's harp serving to provide the effect. Tony drives those drums home and Tim pushes the sound with his soulful harp playing. Charlie Beck's lyrical delivery is reflective of the human desire to leave a legacy on this train destine for a reckless end.


Another masterful track on this record is "shackle and chain", an old south themed track as the lyrics reflect the desire and search for independence. The chorus bridges into a soul, gospel influenced harmony in the Blues tradition. Some skillful "picking" by Mr. Jones breaks the band into a free spirited jam before the final chorus. 


I think the bands focus on harmony this record is apparent particularly on lucky one. I'm only an aspiring musician who grew up around this sort of music, but what I like about this bands harmony is that the inspired work of Charlie Beck, is complimented by divergent vocal harmonies provided by Tim Jones and Tony Leamer. They each bring their own qualities to the harmony and I think they do it with intent. "Venture to guess", harkens back to the bands post-punk/ indie-pop works with the intense delivery of Charlie's vocals. The riffs are faster and more intense than other numbers on the record. 


Ah, yes!!, what I believe to be the highlight tracks on the record. Dixieland, I wrote these guys and said how much this song reminded me of the honky tonk sound. Listen to the twang of Tim's vocal back-up to understand what I mean. Then when I saw their show in Portland, Oregon recently, it just kept me enthralled. The lyrics are so Old West/ Honky Tonk I wondered where my boots and duster were. The storyteller tradition is alive and well here. The sound is so intense that like Waylon, Hank jr., Johnny, George and the other outlaws I wonder who pissed the MRK off.


Hittin' on the queen, it's a worldly adventure of faithful travels. Tim sports his talent for the Kazoo here. Talk about stylistic effort. The harmony here reminds me of a barbershop quartet, sorry guys. You know I love it though, that is just how seamlessly the harmony was put together. Nice work!! Lastly, with Double line, post punk raises its head again with a ting of Johnny Cash, check that chorus to see what I mean. 


These are just my favorites but undoubtedly, to use a cliché "like fine whine they just keep getting better". I was talking to them last week and urging them to do a live record because their live work is so awesome. They mentioned something about a live holiday record, he he. I CAN'T WAIT!!
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