John Edgar Voe is not, as you might expect, a singer-songwriter or a Bob Dylan bootleg. They are a three-piece band from Belfast, drenched in demented country and this EP shows a lot of promise.
Highwayman is the opening track, introducing some strangled Frank Black style vocals over a sprightly, toe-tapping tune. The song has an early Johnny Cash feel about it and a great refrain: “I am the highwayman, I’m gonna steal your heart anyway I can” and all over in 2 and a half minutes!
The Conscript has more of a 90s era alt-country feel to it, sort of like Pavement or Grant Lee Buffalo and some wonderful guitar. Letter to Joanna and Welded sound like the Rolling Stones in their Gram Parsons period.
These are hugely enjoyable songs, well-executed yet not polished, maintaining a rough and ready feel. It would be nice to hear more from this band.
By Killian Laher.
