Scotland Barr and the Slow Drag All The Great Aviators Agree CD

Scotland Barr and the Slow Drags find their proper groove somewhere between classic rock power chords and rustic alternative country on All the Great Aviators Agree. Between Barr's gravelly voice, word-weary lyrics, and Zach Hinkelman's electric guitar, "Fall Hard" and "Don't Get Too Heavy" may sound slightly familiar to anyone who enjoyed the roots rock and jam band explosion during the 1990s (think Blues Traveler or perhaps the the Wallflowers). While Barr's lyrics may be more down to earth than Bob Dylan's, he is nonetheless committed to the heavier side of the singer/songwriter tradition (one song even name drops Leonard Cohen). Other songs, like "Dirty Old Waltz," are heavily supported by Bryan Daste's steel and Chris Hubbard's piano. Barr's gravely vocal style also leans more heavily toward the alternative country side (think Jay Farrar of Son Volt). While the two sides, rock and alternative country, may seem far apart, Barr's voice and the lyrical textures pull all of the odds and ends together on All the Great Aviators Agree. The songwriting and arrangements are strong, though Barr's lyrics often attempt to say too much, too cleverly. Also, Barr's vocals, the dominant sound on the album, may seem overly familiar to some alternative country listeners. Overall, though, All the Great Aviators Agree should find a comfortable niche within the alternative country family. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

Scotland Barr and the Slow Drags is a Portland, Oregon band that is redefining “Roots” by exploring their own. This is a roots-rock band that is as likely to draw inspiration from The Beach Boys and Warren Zevon as they are from Merle Haggard or Gram Parsons. Jangly pop, gut-bucket country, urban folk, 60’s psychedelia and straight up rock collide in a mid-air collision, creating a compelling clamor that has been called “West Coast Roots.”ALL THE GREAT AVIATORS AGREE is the second release from this passionate six-piece ensemble. The album throbs with a big heart capable of dynamic extremes: smokey vocals grapple with soaring four-part harmonies, keyboards tangle with overdriven guitar, pedal steel bends around an acoustic 6 string, drums irreverently confuse country and rock. Above it all, lead singer Scotland Barr’s bold, emotionally resonant songwriting and insistent melodies shine through, with rough edges intact.ALL THE GREAT AVIATORS AGREE is an album that seems achingly familiar yet is a work of singular character… capturing a great band as they lift off on their next remarkable voyage. “Scotland Barr & the Slow Drags want to take you down with them and with one listen, you’ll want to go… Barr’s vocals have a boozy nonchalance, and the four-part harmonies on some songs recall the Beach Boys and the Band.” - Glen Starkey, San Luis Obispo New Times"...combines the best parts of The Allman Brothers, Wilco, Steve Earle, and Merle Haggard." - Don Campbell, OregonLive.com“[Scotland Barr & The Slow Drags] mine roots music, mutating centuries of tradition with a modern sensibility much like the Band did—with a gravelly voiced singer and an ear for imagery.” - Ap Kryza, Willamette Week

Recording information: 8 Ball Studios, Portland, OR; The Magic Closet, Portland, OR.

Personnel: Scotland Barr (vocals, guitar); Bryan Daste (vocals, acoustic guitar, E-bow, ukulele, saxophone, percussion, Theremin); Christie Hubbard (vocals, accordion, piano, keyboards, percussion); Zach Hinkelman (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals); Jon Itkin (acoustic guitar, ukulele, harmonica, percussion); Matt Moor (trumpet); Rich Landar (keyboards); Nick Kostenborder (drums, percussion); Derek Brown (drums); Rachel Taylor Brown (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Bryan Daste.