Brothers in Farms the Best Album You’ll Hear This Month
Brothers in Farms
Steve ‘N’ Seagulls
Spinefarm Records, 2016
Sometimes a joke can get out of hand and take on a life of it’s own. Revolutions, 3 am Vegas weddings, and the current US political campaigns are proof of this. And once an idea is self realized, it can be very hard to stop. Just 
watch any Terminator film if you have any doubts.
Such is the case with Finland’s hillbilly sensation, Steve ‘N’ Seagulls. Their video rendition of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck,” went viral and what was once a bit of whimsy, is now on the stereo. This second full length release is a great collection for those among you not wed to the sanctity of the original renditions. Some songs translate better than others. The strongest songs here have their own singular identity built in to deflect whatever might be thrown at them.
GNR’s “November Rain” is greatly improved by being stripped bare and shortened considerably. Megadeth’s “Symphony of Destruction” is remarkably solid. “It’s a long Way to the Top (if You Want to Rock n’ Roll),” is laconic and reflective. The main riff for Deep Purple’s “Burn” is a surprisingly good fit for an accordion to carry. “Out in the Fields” is an interesting choice and execution. Faster where the original is slower, it’s frenetic and irresistible.
Closing out the collection is the first cover of “Born To Be Wild” I’ve enjoyed in years. Light and flighty, the middle section is probably closer to what songwriter, and unrepentant folkie Mars Bonfire originally had in mind when he penned the song so many years ago.
This is a fascinating disc. Avoiding a lot of obvious missteps, SNS focused on great songs, impressive interpretations, and even pacing. Musically this is hard to define. It’s not exactly folk, outlaw country, or bluegrass; but blurs the lines, with distinctive European touches in the vein of Gogol Bordello. All of it overlapping and intriguing.
