Through a rapidly changing environment in the world of music, a pandemic and personal trials and tribulations, The Vandoliers 3rd album was conceived. This album may seem a bit different than the previous two. But change is good right?
Side A.
Travis Curry’s fiddle licks open side A of the album on “The Lighthouse, “ and you know even though the world is at high tide, your on a safe ride.
The Lighthouse, written by Vandoliers front man, Josh Fleming, is a song he originally wrote to his infant daughter.
Track 2 leads us to those ever faithful feel good, hold your beer and watch this party songs that make the Vandoliers who they are. Every Saturday night has become one of my personal favorites. I often spend time in reflection of my own life and how far I have come. The rear view mirror can sometimes be my best tool.
“Howlin’” a song about a dog. Or maybe just any one of us who have lost our way back home. Fleming says he actually wrote the song in 2019 as he watched a somewhat anxious family dog in mourning at the door of his family home. “The dog was just sitting there waiting for mom and dad to come home.” Fleming told one reporter. I mean I can totally relate to missing someone. There are some I miss more than others. There are some folks I miss that I know I’ll never see again.
In my personal life. I am a recovering alcoholic. As I write this today, I have been sober for 4835 days.. you might be thinking it’s a long time , but in my heart, I know I just have today. My literature tells me, I shall not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. My first sponsor taught me to defend your right to drink as much as my own right to stay sober. I know the world struggles right now more than ever with more than just addiction and relapse and I think the last two songs on side A, “Bless Your Drunken Heart,” and “Down and Out,” are both powerful stories about living life on life’s terms.
Rock bottom always has a vacant room for me
Joshua Fleming
Rock bottom always has a vacant room for me is one of my favorite Fleming lyrics thus far. It’s so relatable and I can feel the pains and struggles. I have been in that place more than once. I have also found ways to climb my way back up to the top. Music is a big tool I use daily to stay out of that bottomless pit of doubt and despair.
Side B
When you flip the Record, you are surprised to hear Marty Stuart. His direction to Fleming and the band bring you back to those eighties hair bands you grew up on. In my mind I can see them smashing guitars. I can smell the sulfur burning off the fireworks clapping in the distance.
“Better Run,” could be the hardest hitting song on the album. The song was written by Fleming, along with Arlis Albritton and Jeremy Drinkwine. In head banging fashion.
Mando Saenz gets songwriting credit on the next song, “Steer Me Wrong.” Travis Curry’s range of fiddle once again wins out on this sometimes love song.
“Before The Fall,” was the first single released from this album. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was heading to Austin for some more of that work stuff. I had to leave home about 5 in the morning and then I streamed the song.
It’s all about those horns. Right? Cory Graves and that horn. Dude has some serious talent. I think it’s one of the biggest concepts that keeps pulling me back to the Vandoliers. I love the flow of those damn Mariachi horns. At a show at Kessler Theater in Dallas, Joshua Fleming announced to the world that Cory was his “Secret Weapon.” I wholeheartedly agree.
Speaking of Cory Graves multi- talents, he wrote the next song on the album. “I hope your Heartache‘s a Hit,” turns the tables on your typical break-up song. It’s their loss not ours right??
“Too Drunk to Drink,” beams us back into good spirited fun with our favorite party musicians, the Vandoliers.
The album ends with “Wise County Friday Night,” a song Fleming wrote as he looked back on the early days of his relationship with his now wife.
This Dallas band of Troublemakers did great on this one. They are one of the friendliest and most welcoming band I have ever come across and they make the kinda cow-punk music I love to listen to.
The band
Josh Fleming- Lead Vocal and Acoustic Guitar,
Cory Graves- multi- instrumentalist- (Horns, Keys, Harmonica.) and backing vocals.
Travis Curry- backing vocals and fiddle
Dustin Fleming- Backing Vocals and Electric Guitar
Mark Moncrieff- Backing Vocals and Bass Gutar
Guyton Sanders- Drums
Pancho.