Kingston, Ontario’s Tom Savage fourth studio album called The County Line recently founds its way to my ears.  Even though it is a 2008 release it deserves your attention if you haven’t heard it.  This is the first release under the Tom Savage Trio name. The trio consists of Tom Savage – guitar, vocals and mandolin; Geoff Chown – bass; and Sandy Mackenzie -drums, backing vocals. Think of them as a modern day Americana power trio, at least on this disc. While previous releases from Tom (solo) have been more acoustic, this disc is plugged in and rowdy!

There are nine high octane cuts on the disc, which opens in a hurry with Leaving In A Hurry. The highlight of the disc is the title track, with a guitar attack I imagine must be great to hear live! Perhaps speaking of himself, or maybe some of his obvious influences (Neil Young) is the line from the track Old Rock ‘N’ Rollers:
“Old rock ‘n’ rollers never die, they just keep rollin’ on”

The only time they slow down for a breath is on Tired Old Cliche.  Then its back to full speed and on the road for 48 Hours.  Then like a good power trio, they end with the lengthy tune Arizona, which features a long power chord fade out ending that even does fade out and return! I held up my lighter when it was done!!

If you like your Americana amped up, i.e. The Bottle Rockets or Drive-By-Truckers then you are sure to like this disc, yet another stellar release from our neighbors to the North!
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High end Rockin--Country"Leaving In a Hurry"  &  "When You were Mine" are  phenommenally  good..."Arizona"  came  up a little  short  for  me  but  maybe  that  is  one  that needs  time  to validate. Overall  is  a good  tight  mix--especially  given  the  'compact  3 Piece Size  of  Band'.
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