'A Happy Animal’ is the latest release from THE COALS, a band named after one of the oldest bars in Los Angeles.
The current band lineup consists of Jason Mandell on lead vocals and guitar, Darice Bailey on piano, organ and vocals, Peter Hastings on bass and vocals, Greg Eklund on drums, Andy Tabb on guitar and vocals, and Jack Arky on accordion and vocals.
The band plays Californian country folk music. This is their second release, and a remarkable mini album it is, with just eight songs, yet this album is all killer and certainly no filler. Each song is really great.
The album opens with the upbeat, swing of ‘Redeem Me’, a lovely track which starts off with guitar, until you realise the keyboards slowly, subtly take over the melody. The lyrics are sung in a Dylan-ish style, and there are some nice lines in this story about a relationship: - “Every mornin’ by your window, chase the light across your door/ Bottle caps and broken arrows but you’ve seen it all before/ You’ve seen it all before/ Redeem me, save me from myself/ I could use a little help and I don’t want nobody else”.
This track glides along merrily, and that is reflected in the easy-going style of the lyrics, there is a wonderful line: - “I wonder who you’re looking for? We both know it ain't me, but I don’t mind at all”. After this comes the bluesy alt folk of ‘Dirt Road’, a track that literally thunders along, buoyed with accordion. The lyrics are perfect for this which at times comes across almost as gospel blues: - "I’m gonna walk up that dirt road when I’m able/ I’m gonna walk up that dirt road ‘fore I die/ I’m gonna walk up that dirt road and lose this heavy load/ When I lay down in that bed where you lie.”
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What really made this track stand out was the joy that permeated it. You can tell everyone’s having a great time with this song, and it is certainly infectious.
Another track that really stood out for me was ‘Maria’, with its mariachi horns and Mexican vibe. This track tell the tale of a young woman, and her loves: - “Well you put on your make up, and you turn down the light/ Just in case he comes over, if he wants you tonight/ Will you give him your body, will you give him your soul? And was your heart ever something you could control?”
This is one hell of an album and really worth getting hold of. If the band continue to release such classics, then they deserve to be huge.
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