Wrinkle Neck Mules- Pull the Brake

(Shut Eye Records, 2006)

Reviewed by SoDak

http://www.wrinkleneckmules.com

The band Wrinkle Neck Mules hails from Richmond, Virginia. In 2003, I bought their first record, Minor Enough. Of the new Americana bands that year, they captured my interest. They were obviously talented, incorporating a touch of bluegrass alongside their twang. More than this, they seemed gritty, presenting shadowy images within their catchy songs. I eagerly awaited their next releases. In 2005, they put out a six song EP, titled Liza, followed the next year by the full-length record Pull the Brake. It was immediately obvious that the band had found its stride: great songs and strong production. The band changes pace from song to song, with band members taking turns on lead vocals. As a result, their records remain dynamic and interesting. Wrinkle Neck Mules create a distinctive groove that is easy to settle into when casually listening to a record. There are plenty of choruses that make a listener want to sing along, almost not noticing the dark tales that often lurk within the songs.

“Liza,” the opening song on both the EP and Pull the Brake, kicks off with a pleasant guitar that is then propelled forward by the banjo. “Oh, Liza, oh Liza, it’s time, to make our run in the night.” At first it seems that a young boy wants to escape with the girl that he loves, to flee from their families, so they can be together. But when following the story, a very different picture emerges. The girl knows that the boy is crazy. The father of the girl warns the boy to stay away from his daughter. The boy, however, is obsessed with the girl and nothing will stand in his way. He sneaks up the house to take the girl. He shoots the girl’s brother. It is also suggested that the father is killed. And by the end of the song, it does not seem that all will end well for Liza, who the boy declares is finally his.

Wrinkle Neck Mules follow this opening track with “Okeechobee”—a song that depicts lazy summer days in the South. There is a strong sense of place here—a world filled with snakes and trees. “With a forearm tan and a bottle is where I will be.” One day the narrator brings a woman to this land that he loves. She hates the place. She “couldn’t stand the heat and mosquitoes. Said I had to choose, bet she never thought she’d lose. When it comes to the one that I love, it’s plain to see. It’s my sweet, sweet, sweet Okeechobee.” He is content to stay in his little shack, with pealing paint. He has his “four wheel drive and a three-gun rack.” The windshield on his truck is cracked, but he can see clearly. Whenever he has to leave, he looks back on the land that he loves.

A couple years ago, I saw Wrinkle Neck Mules play at the Berkeley Café in Raleigh, North Carolina. They put on a great show, filling their set with old songs and brand new songs. They played whatever requests the audience yelled. It seemed that they would have played all night, if they had things their way. The members of the band took turns on lead vocals. From time to time, there were blistering guitar leads, bending strings to the breaking point. Band members traded leads throughout songs, pushing each other to tear it up, whether it was on the banjo, mandolin, or guitar. As to be expected there were plenty of songs that spoke of beer, whiskey, methadone, broken hearts, women, being broke, death, and foolishness.

“Lowlight” is an outstanding track on Pull the Brake. A darkness swirls throughout the song. The individual is “digging and scratching,” collecting cans, just to get by. Malt liquor helps pass the time. “I know its you out there in the lowlight.” A special treat of this song is that Bonnie “Prince” Billy sings harmony and a verse. A break in the song sets up the transition for Billy’s lead: “Pennies on the dollar. Shine on boys we’re going to make them scream and holler.” A guitar rings out underneath the song, as the events taking place in a mysterious trailer are hidden from sight. The distance separating people grows as the song slows and fades.

Starting with the drums, “Push the Pedal” glides along on great guitar lines by the electric and acoustic guitars. The vocals and banjo work their way into the song. “I found my demons, caught them where they were sleeping. Now I know that I will never be alone.” An unsteady man seeks solace in drink. His hands tremble and shake. From time to time, the acoustic guitar dances above the rest of the instruments. Down the road the man heads, searching for the next round of drinks. “Push the pedal, pull the break.” Not sure where this story ends, perhaps it does not.

Wrinkle Neck Mules followed this record with the exceptional The Wicks Have Met and Let the Lead Fly. Both of these records continue in the tradition that they established on their first two records. But from time to time, they kick it into overdrive and rock out. Any fans of Uncle Tupelo, Frog Holler, Say Zuzu, and the Backsliders would enjoy Wrinkle Neck Mules. My friend Lulu often gets hooked on them as she makes her commute to work across the high plains of Idaho. We eagerly await another record from this band, and I hope to see them play another show where I live. I have a long list of songs that I want to hear them play.