Centro-matic – “Fort Recovery ” – [Misra]

A respectable batch of midtempo mostly-rockers from this established Texas quartet. The plaintive vocals of songwriter Will Johnson are backed by acoustic and electric guitars, bass, and drums, along with some keyboards, violin, vibraphone and other percussion. This record struck me as a bit too laid-back, in a country-rock sort of way, the first time I heard it, but after a few more listens I got a lot more out of it; the melodies, harmonies, and solid playing really grew on me. The material isn???t overly polished, and there are some welcome rough edges when the boys turn the volume up on the amps. Track C4 ends with a short (1:20), nicely grinding instrumental coda.