The band that made it cool to wear bolero ties and cowboy hats to Boston rock clubs has released another CD, and Lord have mercy, it just might be their best yet. Against the Grain (Hi-N-Dry) fortifies Three Day Threshold's distinctive amalgam of alt-country and Irish drinking songs, but turns up the heat on everything. The energy surging through every track is contagious and after one listen you'll either want to get drunk or barbecue something. Maybe ride a mechanical bull.
"Narrow it Down" is a great opener. It's a barn dance, an up tempo boot-tapping sing-a-long that's actually a torch song for a woman yet to be found. A cheerful torch song though, as the lyrics imply thereâ's plenty of time to take the ladies out one at a time until the right gal shows up. "I ain't doin' nothing wrong, just got to narrow it down," sings front man Kier Byrnes with debonair self-assurance. With 3DT's usual irresistible charm, this song manages to be adorable and endearing while evoking a lecherously misogynistic strut and swagger. There's just something about country songs that give the guys the go-ahead to lay it all on the line. As Tammy Wynette said, "after all, he's just a man."
For sheer knee-slapping awesomeness, check out the hilarious "Uni." Too much exposition will ruin your first listen, so for now I'll just direct you to Three Day Threshold's Myspace page where you can hear it for yourself. Other picks include "Right Outside the Door," "Kelly, I'm Coming Over," "Softly” and another sing-a-long, "It's Alright." Also a nice surprise is the traditional "Whiskey, You're the Devil," a 3DT favorite that had made an appearance on the "Homecookin" CD, their 1999 debut.
Three Day Threshold has been putting out excellent records since 1999, but Against the Grain shows that a little worldly wisdom (i.e., maturity) goes a long way towards authenticating this brand of blood on the saddle country rock. For one thing, there's far more wanton humor on this record. Then there's the powerhouse of a band, with searing guitar and mandolin riffs at the core and whole corral full of guest performers. Then there's front man Kier Byrnes, who has never been in finer voice. When a performer's skill catches up with his enthusiasm, it's a mighty fine day indeed. Always a good singer and the band's rabble-rousing leader, Kier has clearly hit his stride as a vocalist. There's less cow punk bellowing than on earlier recordings, replaced with more refined and warm, dare I say great, singing. And then, to borrow a lyric from track 7, "The Ghost of Jimmy Ryan," GodDAMN that mandolin! (Lexi Kahn)
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