The Long Ryders - September November

In 1987, after five years together and three outstanding albums, The Long Ryders (Sid Griffin, Stephen McCarthy, Greg Sowders and Tom Stevens) called it a day.  In 2004 the band got back together for some live shows and while they performed together off and on over the following years, they didn't record anything new until 2017 when they released the single “Bear In The Woods” and then finally album number four, Psychedelic Country Soul in 2019.  While they are now back with a new album September November, it’s a bittersweet return due to the death of bassist Tom Stevens in 2021 (McCarthy and Old 97’s bassist Murry Hammond played bass on the album).  His passing had a definite impact on the album with several songs touching on mortality and paying tribute to him.  “Seasons Change”, an introspective rocker with hints of The Byrds and some really strong background harmonies, “Hand Of Fate”, a gentle, laid-back folk flavored track with very emotional vocals, and the country tinged “Flying Down” address topics like the passing of time and death. “Tom Tom”, one of the highlights of the album, is a gorgeous, heartfelt country ballad, that is a fitting tribute to Stevens and even uses lines from a few of his songs.  While his death definitely had an influence on many of the songs, there is still plenty more to the album.  Kicking things off is “September November Sometime” a solid rock tune with an occasional hint of The Byrds jangle in the guitar.  A couple of cuts touch on the current state of affairs here and abroad.  “Elmer Gantry Is Alive And Well” is a tense and taut track that’s at times reminiscent of the Velvet Underground’s “I’m Waiting For The Man” with very topical lyrics dealing with January 6 and the chaotic state of things today, while “Song For Ukraine” is a gentle acoustic folk instrumental with some touches of classical thanks in part to the violin of Kerenza Peacock, who among many other things was a member of Griffin’s bluegrass band Coal Porters (X drummer DJ Bonebrake also contributes vibes on this track).  Following the ragged rock of “To The Manor Born” they showcase their versatility with the infectious bounce of “That’s What They Say About Love”, a shuffling, old school cowboy song, the soulful country blues of the aptly titled “Country Blues (Kitchen)”, highlighted by some stellar acoustic guitar, harmonica and piano, and “Until God Takes Me Away”, a pretty acoustic track with hints of The Beatles’ “Blackbird”.  As one final tip of the hat to their late bandmate the album closes with the gorgeously haunting “Flying Out Of London In The Rain”, a track that was originally written and performed by Stevens on his 2007 solo album Home and has now been fleshed out by the band with more instrumentation along with backing vocals from his daughter Sarah.  The resulting track in an absolutely gorgeous tribute.  Throughout their career The Long Ryders have never been a band that disappoints and with September November they prove that once again.  

(Cherry Red Records / The Long Ryders)