Here comes ‘Trouble’ — and you’ll like it

Sean Tracey’s “Trouble” is humorous, sharp edged, smart and just a little on the raunchy side, as the album’s title would most subtly suggest.

Tracey’s bluegrass revival is done in the spirit of Hank Williams with a Johnny Cash sort-of homage, yet I could also say that it is something unlike either artist, something of an original Sean Tracey. He is definitely offering something just a little different to our local music scene. I came across this Juneau CD release through the artist himself, who is good friends with my fellow Familiar Walls bandmate, Davie Cline.

Check out this hilarious line on the first track “Beer:” “Free beer, you’re my favorite kind; beer, but I don’t mind buying. I’d live on beer if I could, ‘cause I ain’t had anything so damn good.”

Tracey’s zaney sense of humor comes through in every tune, always with a sense for the ironic and absurd as to tickle your funny bone with each listen. Like on the track “Bank Robbers,” he sings: “I’ve been stealin’ for a living ever since I was 5. Work was too much work just to keep a man alive.”

The pedal steel work in this is just amazing. Every instrument flows into the next so smoothly, making for a tight weave, like the stitching of a good ol’ Carhart jacket well worn.

Tracey’s simple approach in his song compositions never betrays the evident complexity of his craft that he has developed in this genre. The catchy instrumental “Gangway Blues” will get a crowd dancing every time, which is a magik of a kind all its own. This is one of those tunes that could easily turn a funeral into a celebration of life.

Celebrate life with Sean Tracey by checking out Trouble and see how it all works out for you. Samples of Tracey’s music can be heard at myspace.com/seanetracey.

Josh Cole is a local musician and CD connoisseur. For a possible review of a new release, e-mail Cole at lettersfromthevoid@yahoo.com or at Myspace.com/familiarwalls.