Capital B
When it comes to the nearly all-original material on this Milwaukee-based band’s second album, the term youthful exuberance comes to mind. The MilBillies’ (that’s with a CAPITAL “B,” mind you!) music is shot through with humor, rowdiness, wild times and angst. There’s an almost punkish, hard-partying edge to some of the ragged vocals, frenetic playing and relentless energy.
Elsewhere the MilBillies’ sound has been described as “urban-style bluegrass” and “funk-tinged barroom bluegrass,” and neither description seems far off the mark. Suffice it to say, these guys sound like they sure know how to have a good time. Yet all the free-wheeling, often lighthearted abandon is underpinned with impeccable musicianship. Little surprise that the group was a 2021 IBMA World of Bluegrass Showcase Artist.
Many of these songs have core bluegrass arrangements that sound delightfully old-timey, yet here and there are subtle and tasteful flourishes of overdubbed synthesizer, electric guitar, steel guitar, piano, harmonica, and even trumpet, saxophone and trombone on the Dixieland-ish “Annie.”
The quirky, scatter-shot narratives in quite a few of these songs unwind in late-night or mid-day watering holes. “Are You Drunk,” for instance, has the classic line: Are you drunk, are you stoned, are you afraid to die alone? “Bosco’s” is an ode to a favorite honky-tonk and a barmaid who works there. It features a tremendous extended instrumental ride.
The doleful “Blue Ribbon Day” is the bitter-sweet reverie of a guy who patiently drinks away his blues while anticipating better times. “Wisconsin Rain” is a well-crafted love lament with spiritual overtones. “Goodbye Liza Jane” is a rousing reprise of a traditional fiddle tune.
There’s a tongue-in-cheek flavor to numbers like “One Last Time,” “Never Ever,” “Thrifted Sweater” and “Tattoos & Overalls.” Guitarist Eben Flood and fiddler Joe Wais do the writing and lead singing, and they do a fine job on both counts.
To sum it up, the MilBillies (don’t forget that uppercase “B”!) provide first-rate musicianship and the kind of very enjoyable listening that makes us older folks wish we had our wild and restless younger days back at least one more time.
