This band only came into being when its members just so happened to be in the same place at the same time. The place was Arlyn Studio, Austin, Texas, the time, October 2022.
Grackles are drummer Jimmy Paxson, guitarist Jason Mozersky, producer Kyle Crusham and songwriter Noah Lit.
At the time, Lit had all but retired from the music business and was earning his living as a restaurateur in Austin. However, as he recalls, “The band was ready to rock, and they looked at me and said, ok Noah, go write some songs.”
It hardly sounds like the recipe for a great album but something must have been in the water because the results are pretty impressive; a merger of country, rock and blues that bursts with spontaneity and energy.
The opening of the ten tracks - It’s Coming To Ya - sets the tone with a raw garage feel reminiscent of Giant Sand.
The single San Antone. is a song about the town Lit and Mozersky grew up in and features guest spots from Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica and Lauren Harris on vocals.
The tune Grackles Barn Burner is another prime example of the fired up urgency of the album.
It would be a pity if this turns out to be the first and last release under the Grackles name as it cries out for more of the same.
