Since 2009, Doug Keith has been Sharon Van Etten's right hand man and guitarist.
When he's not helping this Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter become world famous, Keith sees himself as a bit of a modern day troubadour in his own right.
Although not strictly speaking a solo work (it features contributions from members of North Carolina band Megafaun) it reflects his own varied tastes and individual style; “It’s a pretty personal, intense record", he says, "without being just me and an acoustic guitar.”
In explaining the title, Keith adds: “A pony will work non-stop until it physically cannot work anymore. I’m like that.”.
Does perseverance and endurance make for great art? Not necessarily, but it does ensures the work gets done and the end result here isn't half bad.
Keith’s affection for Indie underground bands Hüsker Dü and Fugazi is evident on the grinding rhythms of I Will Burn For You and the closing track, The Bone In Your Hand.
There's a nice touch too on the song Pure Gold in the ‘70s where he wanted a killer Dinosaur Jr style guitar solo, and found that J.Mascis himself was up for the gig!
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Meanwhile, Keith's love of old school folk-blues can be heard on desperate tone of The Apostles ("Don't worry darling, I'm just leaving") and the nostalgia tinged Harvest Home.
Recorded in just six days at Echo Mountain studio in Asheville, NC, there's a crispness to the sound exemplified by the catchy and upbeat Long Shot which is the kind of feel good pop you wish you'd hear more often on the radio.
Mostly this is great driving music although doesn't quite keep the momentum going to the end; You Can't Stand To Be Alone, Black Metal Black and The Weather's Fucking Awful all pale in comparison with what comes before.
Some killers then plus a few fillers but on the whole a decent job of work.
Doug Keith's website
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