Website: Funky Nashville
The Inside Pulse:
Denmark might be the last place you think of when naming homes of Tex-Mex rock, but Funky Nashville didn’t let that stand in their way with Hitch a Ride. Presenting with a concept recalling the Peter Gunn Theme and Quentin Tarantino movie soundtrack choices, there’s a distinct romance with the Old West flavoring the album and certainly serving as a muse. Add this fascination to a Britpop influence, and the result is most certainly unique.
Positives: There’s a mellow calm and laid-back atmosphere throughout Hitch a Ride, the perfect compliment to wistful western tunes. Songs like “California Mansion Girl” are upbeat, laden with harmony, and keep their kitsch from becoming too, well, kitschy. Twang is most definitely not a mainstream rock element, but it works extremely well in “Ain’t No Cowboy” and as an interesting backdrop on “My Corazon.” Funky Nashville straight rips off Nick Cave with “Red River,” but it’s done too well to complain.
Negatives: It’s curious, it’s different, and it’s against the grain. But that doesn’t necessarily translate to a desire to put Hitch a Ride on repeat for days on end. Are they trying too hard? It’s hard to put a finger on the problem, but the balance just isn’t there.
Cross-breed: The Stone Roses performs the lighter side of Nick Cave with some help from Duane Eddy.
Reason To Buy: If you adore twangy guitar, this is a must-have. Ignoring the cowboy schtick, it’s still not a bad little pop album, but don’t go near it if you detest a western bent.
