Album Notes

This is a record that sits proudly next to Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska, Lucinda Williams’ Car Wheels On A Gravel Road, and the finest work of Chris Whitley and Steve Earle, as a personal statement of struggle and the search for meaning in modern life. Any which way, it’s the first release of 2012 to stake a claim for album of the year. - The Vinyl District UK



"Sadness runs like the grain of wood through this richly promising album from Portland singer-songwriter James Low and his new alt-country outfit. In an economical 27 minutes and eight tracks Whiskey Farmer unfolds a tale of small-town life gone just wrong enough to be heartbreaking, with a man taking a clear-headed look at how his own bad decisions have narrowed his horizons. Thwarted ambition, lost love, world-weariness and cheap booze are the time-honoured and occasionally cliched staples of country but Low's skilful hands sketch a vivid picture of his loser subject matter. The "alt" part of alt-country is barely there at times and this is more reminiscent of early Wilco - orthodox country with a touch of rock grit - but that's no bad thing and the band do a fine job providing the wistful underpinning for Low's lyrics. A must-have for anyone who likes their country dry, understated and beautifully bleak."
-The Morningstar UK

"Somewhere the ghosts of Gram Parsons and Mickey Newbury haunt the edges" - Twangnation

"holy crap, these guys are good"- Listendammit

"Even pretty basic factory job becomes quite enjoyable, if you have this beautiful country-tinged album playing on your iPod while working." onechord.net

"reminiscent of mid-period Gram Parsons" Northern Sky Music Magazine

“Whiskey Farmer" is one of those albums that immediately get under your skin. From the moment I opened the package and graced at the cover of this album I got a right feeling with this record. And boy I’m I right. “Whiskey Farmer “ brings you eight wonderful tracks with a western country sound that is unbelievably authentic (although the band is coming from Portland, Orgeon). As an additional James Low wrote down all the lyrics in a small booklet including the chords for all tunes. If that isn’t a nice gesture then I don’t know it anymore. Grab your guitar and teach yourself the songs of “Whiskey Farmer."- Mr. Blue Boogie

perfect blend of porch, folk, twang and edge. Exceptionally good work -- sure hope we see a lot more coming from these guys in the future!- KGLT Bozeman MT

It also seems clear that “Whiskey Farmer” is more than the affectionate pastiche of things country that first impressions would suggest and James Low, in taking the world weary and sometimes near laconic approach to his vocals, has turned each song into an antidote to the anodyne Americana that is so often forced upon us in the name of tradition. - Blues Bunny