Listen To Blitzen Trapper's 'VII'

posted in: Music News

The New York Times has a nice little online feature called Press Play, where they debut “noteworthy new music” each week. Not sure how they decide what constitutes noteworthy, but the paper of record hit it on the nose for us with the newest album from Portland, Oregon’s Blitzen Trapper. The Times calls them a country-rock band. While this is not inaccurate, it’s hardly a complete description of the style stew of influences that make Blitzen Trapper so unique. The new LP, VII, is particularly heavy on the kind of ’70s gospel and funk elements that you won’t hear coming from most of the Gram Parsons devotees who set the standard for what we might expect from a country rock / alt. country band. Throw in some Tom Waits grit and an apparent affection for modern pop and you’ve got a pretty one-of-a-kind listening experience ahead of you. Get into it here.