Michael Yonkers | Michael Yonkers [ALBUM REVIEW]

Although he's perhaps better known as seventies fuzz-rock pioneer, this not-quite-self-titled reissue by Michael Yonkers highlights another aspect of the musician's talent: simple cowboy country songs. Originally recorded in the early seventies on tube-type reel-to-reel machines, the 13 tracks feature echoing vocals, spoken word passages and sing-along choruses in Yonker's unique baritone, often made spooky by the spaciousness of the no-fi home recording techniques. Songs carry messages of blue collar philosophy–no cubicles, no punching clocks–and nonsensically mirthful children's songs like "Funboots" and "Mrs. Jennings Fruit Fly Farm", the latter recorded live at a house party, complete with cackling kids. A quirky take on country that doesn't take itself too seriously.