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Don’t let the Rolling Stones album art reference fool you, this EP by hoe-down kings and queens of Montreal, Lake of Stew is more “down home” than 2000 light years from it. Jug band opening stomp “Keith Robb” sets the lighthearted pace to the 20 minute set, which alternates harmonized singalongs replete with kazoo breakdowns and slower ballads erring on the good side of maudlin. “Dream Until the End” pauses for pastoral reflection, unadorned simplicity framing the song in earnest harmonies, banjos and mandolins. “Hide In A Boxcar” veers into a country polka tale of skulduggery and runnin’ from the Man. The kazoo returns in the uber-granola rag “A Grain A Green A Root A Bean” before settling into spryly comfy Carter Family vibe of “Sunny Stone” and drive the starry night cowboy coda of “Many Years Ago, In A Faraway Land In A Language I Don’t Understand”, which brings to mind Stanley Brothers‘ mountain balladry.
In a very niche-heavy world of country players, Lake of Stew manage to hold themselves up as positive, disarming and laid back purveyors of old-timey music. Folk-festival ready for sure, but I’m positive this tribe of well-harmonized and ingratiating players could walk into just about any stage or situation and leave behind rainbows. A Must for anyone that knows what a true night sky looks like.
