HENRY WAGONS – RUMBLE, SHAKE & TUMBLE

Is he Dave Faulkner, is he Nick Cave, or is he Johnny Cash? No, he is Henry Wagons; and in all truth he is part of all of the aforementioned, as well as Melbourne man about town, occasional arts presenter and songsmith. For his fifth studio album he is Wagons in name and Wagons in nature, as Henry keeps it pretty solidly country. If it ain’t his mid-range baritone, it’s the twang in the guitar, the four on the floor drums or the down low and downtrodden tales. Let’s face it, like the name-checked Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings et al every good country songwriter needs his share of bad luck tales to make a living out of. Love Is Burning is Wagons in fully-fledged Nick Cave mode, probably not the best man to take on. While the single Downlow is a more successful nod to early Hoodoo Gurus and Tom Petty, a great slice of pop, classic hook and all. Saving one of the best for last, Wagons leaves us on a high with the dark and smouldering Mary Lou. Rollicking.

*** 1.2