I’ve been a fan of the Red Dirt Skinners for quite a while. Rob & Sarah Skinner are individual, independent and go their own way – not for them the standard Blues/Rock or singer/songwriter stance. As such, they are a little more demanding and also a lot more fun than many of their contemporaries.
After moving lock, stock and two smokin’ saxophones to a Canadian idyll, I did wonder if they would disappear without a trace, but their last album ‘Bear With Us’ was an absolute delight, reflecting their move and showing that the move had been very good for their music. Then, nothing for 5 years. Bupkus, nada, zip. (Well except for a live album in 2023, a book in 2024 and they’ve been touring relentlessly- about 50 shows a year.) But then, out of the Blue, a new album. Another winner.
The Red Dirt Skinners are a real duo. No additional band, just two very talented musicians who complement each other perfectly. Their music is all about exquisite harmonies, considered subject matter, music that is there to emphasise and complement the lyrics. Rob is a fine guitarist, and Sarah plays soprano sax and now tenor and harmonica as well. It combines to make a sound that is hypnotic, deeply emotional and uplifting all at once.
‘Compound Energy’ is definitely a progression by the Skinners. Clearly the same duo, but the songs are more developed, the harmonies more refined.
Opener, ‘So Glad You Can Make It’ is a pounding little rocker, with a strong solo from Sarah, powerful drums from Rob and leaves you totally unprepared for ‘In the Moment’, an almost acapella vocal harmony piece and one of my favourite numbers on the album – slow and mesmerising, it gives you chills down the back. ‘Fresh Red Roses’ is equally haunting – a song about guilt and sorrow from a 3rd party pov. Sarah’s tenor is positively Floyd-esque and Rob’s guitar work is spare and beautiful. There is something about ‘Lovebomb’, deliberately disjointed harmonies, that is unsettling, but bears repeated listening to. Very dark and spare with the sax way down in the mix and then coming through, drawing the ear and providing a high point above the heavy drum. A superb track and the one track that I have delved into the most.
Throughout the album there are high points and tracks that are special but really there isn’t any track that is lightweight or ‘filler’.
It has been a long wait for ‘Compound Energy’ but it is a gem, a special album and a cert for my personal top ten of the year.
