Vetiver / Errant Charm
By the Ambassador

Local country/folk/pop/rockers are back with a new set of original tunes that lean more towards pop hooks and upbeat rhythms compared to their earliest records. Andy Cabic’s songs are tight and full of interesting lyrics and memorable hooks. This record is like their previous, “tight Knight” but even more straightforward. FCC Clean. The whole album is great, but I recommend tracks: #1 (hazy), #3 (poppy), #5 (poppy), #7 (poppy), #8 (rocky).

1)* Hazy, drony country rock with swirling strings and a drum machine at the base – sounding like their first albums; 2) 4-4 beat, strumming guitar, hushed vocals, and beautiful chorus; 3)** standout track with a killer beat, poppy, organ-grinder groove with interesting echo-laden guitar tones; 4) tender melody with ooohs and aaahs and gausy textures, like an outtake from Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk”; 5)** latin/bossa drum beat with guitar and catchy lyrics about San Francisco fog – great poppy number; 6) nostalgic mid-tempo tune with acoustic guitar strumming and Byrds-esque electric guitar touches; 7)** this could be a Lindsay Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac) tune and it would be one his best – catchy pop tune with great hook and dancing guitar solo reminiscent of The Mac; 8)* rockinest song on the album – described by others as Velvelts meet CCR, which sounds about right – some serious chooglin’ and stomping with lyrics about a long drive (presumably on tour); 9) dreamy tune with floating keyboard intro, angelic guitars and gauzy vocals – perfect backyard hammock nap music ; 10) album closer and another dreamy folky tune.