Case Hardin
Album: PM
Label: Clubhouse
Tracks: 9
Website: http://www.casehardin.com

PM is the third full length album from from the London / Berkshire band Case Hardin and their second on the UK's premiers Americana label, Clubhouse Records, following on from 2011's Every Dirty Mirror.

PM is something of a departure from the beer and whisky soaked sounds that were a major factor on both Every Dirty Mirror and their debut, 2008's Some Tunes For Charlie Spencer. There is no direct equivalent to Three For The Road, A Lullaby (...of Sorts) or A Day At The Races. This is much more introspective with an absence of electric guitar (notable exceptions being the haunting slide on album opener Dayside and the Floyd-esque overtones on A Thousand Sides of Vinyl) and the increased presence of acoustic guitar, piano and violin.

The addition of violin comes because of Hannah Pirana replacing Adam Kotz who provided banjo and mandolin on the previous release. Ironbridge a classic Pete Gow story song telling of a diminutive blacksmith who is involved with illegal horse racing is illuminated by Pirana's violin part and for the closing track This Ring bass player Tim Emery adds richness to the plaintive acoustic guitar.

But, as good as the playing is - and there is not a better band in the UK today - it is Gow's nuanced writing on PM that truly sets Case Hardin apart. If,

"She said she had three beautiful daughters, she said she named them after hurricanes / Like the men who blew into her life, then blew out again" from Three Beautiful Daughters

had been written out of Nashville or Austin artists, would be queuing round the block to record Gow's songs.

"Needle on Record" sound effects apart (I wonder how that would sound if PM gets a vinyl release?) this is a faultless record and sits at the top of this years Americana offering; regardless of which continent it's from

John 'The Jacket' Hawes