Ignitors
Speedway Sounds
Hayden's Ferry Records HFR 21022



by William Michael Smith

If Jackson Browne decided to go country today, he'd probably sound much like Ignitors. The Tempe, Arizona band's latest album, Speedway Sounds, is a crisp, reflective kind of alternative country record filled with songs that echo many of Mr. Browne's own songwriting sentiments and habits. Musically Ignitors have the clear, clean sound that seems to typify many of the southwestern and southern California bands that work in the alternative country genre. While the songwriting, arrangements, and playing are top notch, Ignitors' strongest trait is the harmonies of producers Norm Preston and Chris House. These two men blend their fine, clean voices as few can. The Ignitors sound brings a bright, penetrating, western Desert Rose Band flavor to their brand of Americana.

Not only are House and Preston multi-instrumental, they also do all the songwriting for Ignitors, and House serves as recording engineer through his Casa de Casa studio. Their finely crafted songs are like little cameo shots of people, little slice of life dramas filled with minute details of the dreams and wishes, the motivations and inhibitions, the victories and failures that color and distinguish people's lives. The album title is taken from the opening track, "Rae Anne," the story of a female mechanic ("hard-headed girl with a wrench in her hand") who dreams the very unfeminine dream of big engines and racing glory. Steel guitarist Bruce Wandmayer's playing highlights the track.

Don't give a damn 'bout no movie stars
The only album owned has the speedway sounds
Richard Petty and the boys they adorn her walls
She dreams of the day when they come to call
Chase her 'round and 'round
Around and 'round

Most of House and Preston's songs have a philosophical nugget at the core, some truth of life or acceptance of a fateful circumstance. This is never more obvious than on the jangly "Somebody Else Will." The moral is simple: if you don't have the will to take a chance and go for what you want, somebody else will.

End of the dance, now
Break the trance somehow
Just left to wonder
What pulled you under?
Once was a time, though
Oh, the good times flowed
When did you think, though?
You could just let go

If you don't love her
Somebody else will
If you don't hold her
Somebody else will

Like any band from Arizona, Ignitors excel at desert imagery. On the pretty but sad "Hollow Moon," the moon becomes a metaphor for human emptiness, even depression.

Hollow moon in the sky
Cry a million tears if he wasn't so dry
Why, oh why must he be so denied
Hollow moon

House and Preston can also turn a phrase with the best. On the roots rocker "Chain Letter," they get off some very smooth lines. This one really has that Jackson Browne, southern California vibe.

The chain letter of love
What goes around will come to
All those who comply with the above
You think you stand
Deep in the cauldron
Troubled water scalding
Well don't forget to send
The chain letter of love

All the songs are well thought out and well crafted, which gives them a singles feel. But while most of the album is controlled and precise musically, Ignitors let the dogs out on their cover of Nick Lowe's "Lucky Dog." Speedway Sounds is not a hot-picking, loose and jamming type of album but the band rips through this tight, fun, danceable track.

"Fun and Games" is the punchy, big-beat, two-step, honky tonk heartbreak song on Speedway Sounds. It's a real winner, both lyrically and musically, and fits easily in either country or Americana radio formats.

Well it's all fun and games until somebody
Somebody loses a heart
So don't be afraid when those sparks start flying
It's just those chains you drag in the dark

How good are these guys' voices? Not only do they have that Jackson Browne inflection and tone, there are even hints of that soulful B. J. Thomas thing on "Anyone But Me." Lyrically the track brings Ignitors back to a wistful philosophical vein.

I can't go back
If I could, I wouldn't change a thing
Stay on track
To see just what the future brings
A few regrets still linger
But I can't point a finger
At anyone but me

"Guarantee" is another Jackson Browne-ish universal theme anthem with a heart-grabbing hook. The laid back vocal delivery and sweet harmonies only serve to strengthen the thoughtful lyric.

Everybody wants a guarantee
The heart won't break in two or three
All I'm asking please is just to heed my call
Others might have a trick or two
But all I'd ever ask of you
Is, baby, be there when I fall

According to Hayden's Ferry Records president Stu Baker, Ignitors certainly deserve the wider appreciation and recognition they are finally getting. "These guys are the classic example in the studio of artists who put the song first. They were always willing to try new things if they were right for the songs and they also were willing to cut out tracks that didn't work. I've always found their open-minded professionalism rewarding to work with."

"We have the typical small label problems with getting placed in stores," Baker said. "The figures are lower generally for us at first and pick up as we get the record more known. Last week the album was #30 on the Album Network radio ratings and #19 in the FAR charts. It's a slow burn we would like to keep going, of course."

So far, Speedway Sounds has been the fastest selling record Hayden's Ferry has ever released and Baker expects it to shortly become the company's overall top seller. Based on what I hear on this very professional and slick Americana record, that seems like a cinch.

* Check out www.haydensferry.com for Ignitors and other worthy independent Americana artists.


Contact William Michael Smith at: wms-at-rockzilla.net

 
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