THE GUTHRIES: Off Windmill

The Guthries

Off Windmill

© 2000 Off Windmill

CD permanently out of stock. Sorry!

alt-country that blazes down the trail of the No Depression movement. Ryan Adams, Wilco etc...

tracks

1 Better Part of An Hour
2 Wednesday Night
3 Old Familiar Song
4 Deep Blue
5 Suited
6 Patsy Cline
7 Sooner or Later
8 Harbour Queen
9 Trials and Tribulations
10 Gather Round
11 Season to Leave
12 Pure Calm
13 Left On Pages
14 Rhubarb Pie

notes

"Off Windmill" is a gem for so many reasons.
Of all the gifts that the Guthries have to bestow on the alt country community, (solid musicianship, tasteful arrangements and soaring harmonies), the most vital thing they offer is their songwriting.
Theirs is an album replete with timeless songs that run an emotional gauntlet, the like of which has not been seen since the days of Gram Parsons or Townes Van Zant.
The songs that make up this album are haunting (pure calm) triumphant (suited) melancholic (sooner or later) and down-right fun (Patsy Cline).
The hardest thing for the listener to wrestle with is the fact that this is a debut album.
It's resonance is so profound and its appeal so far reaching, that one can only assume that the Guthries are destined for great things.
Pedal steel, rhodes piano & banjo collide with string quartets and big brass to cultivate a sound that takes the listener to a place where the skyline is always red and a warm bed is just a few miles down the highway.
Fans of the cosmic american music movement (from the flying burrito bros. to beachwood sparks) will herald this album as the next chapter of country influenced pop.
Rare indeed is a debut album that conveys such dignity and courage, while having the good sense to remain fun, catchy and honest.
The Guthries are not bogged down by the conventional artifice that plagues some alt-country bands.
The guthries do not put on any airs, they know that they aren't cowboys, truckers or farmers.
They don't pretend to be.
They are musicians, and damn good ones too.
This an album of substance .....
it Just so happens that it doubles as the best bar-room brawl soundtrack that one could hope for.

"The Guthries get everything right on their debut disc, making music that sounds so seasoned, you'd think it was their fifth effort, not their first. Planting themselves firmly in alt-country terrain, the six multi-talented musicians (note: no one's named Guthrie) incorporate the prerequisite fiddle, accordion, mandolin, banjo, steel guitar and other traditional trappings into a solid roots rock regimen.

The result is a richly textured, joyfully infectious set of songs that's so mesmerizing and memorable, it's easy to get caught up in the choruses after only a single listen. At first, comparisons come quickly. The album's opener, the delightfully vibrant "Better Part of an Hour," sounds like what might have resulted had Neil Young been invited to fill Roy Orbison's vacated slot in the Travelling Wilburys. In fact, front man Matt Mays frequently brings Young's down-home delivery to mind, from the earnest and engaging paean to the legendary queen of country, "Patsy Cline," to the affirming and affecting "Season To Leave," to the sweetly swaying "Rhubarb Pie." Other old and new influences also abound, with traces of Poco, Wilco, the Flying Burrito Brothers, and even the Faces marking the melodies throughout.

Much to their credit, the Guthries don't depend on a single predominant player. Vocalists and multi-instrumentalists share the singing and songwriting chores with Mays, giving each song its own distinctive ring. Their contributions vary by degrees, in the rollicking refrains of "Suited," "Wednesday Night," and "Harbour Queen," as well as the mellow musings that underscore "Gather Round," "Deep Blue," "Sooner or Later" and the aptly titled "Pure Calm." Taken in total, Off Windmill is not only an exceptional effort, but also as one of this year's standout successes."
-- Lee Zimmerman Amplifier

"Considering that alt. country was invented by a Canadian bloke called Neil Young 30 or so years ago, decent Canadian alt. country bands are as rare as rocking horse shit. These lot are the exception that breaks the rule. The Guthries hail from Halifax, Nova Scotia, and what makes them so good is their willingness to experiment with their chosen genre rather than merely
ape Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Wilco etc. so while they're quite capable of writing damn near perfect country pop songs - Better Part Of An Hour, Patsy Cline, Season To Leave - they're just as comfortable piling on the strings, violin and cello especially, or attaching a perfectly weighted trumpet solo, should the urge take them." - Cousin Henry's Fundamental Guide

"Among the upper echelon of albums to be recently cut according to the Flying Burrito Bros. and Uncle Tupelo templates, this Nova Scotia outfit inject a joyful pop sensibility and intelligent, narrative lyricism to
their twang. The tunes are eminently catchy with "Patsy Cline" begging to be sung along to." -The Independent

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reviews

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  • It's good, it's true, it's timeless, it's new.
    author: Skysinger

    Not surprisingly, this is an album of contrasts, featuring (as it does) such a mix of strong and diverse musical personalities. The lasting impression one gets is a genuine thread of atmospheric magic running all the way through. On the minus side there may be the odd moment of self indulgent writing leading to a few bars of aimless wandering. But these patches are more than made up for by the many sparkles of genius (yes you heard) which burst out time and time again. The producer(s) and engineers deserve credit for a masterful sound which adds immensly to the overall feel. The Guthries appear to be at their best when surfing along on top of a driving rhythm, but whatever they're doing they have that wonderful ability to take the listener to "another place". Even if that place is a wee bit melancholy. I love being there. By the way the cover art is perfect for this album. But hey...just the chorus of one song on this mighty album made me immediately buy the CD without hearing another note. Dear friends, it is track 11 which stands out supreme. The majestic "Season To Leave" is really something special. I heard the chorus almost by accident on a local radio station as I was channel-hopping. The song was nearly over, but it just goes to show that for a great song, that's all it takes. All in all, "Off Windmill" is a world class work which radiates timeless qualities of love, sincerity, strength and truth. Full credit to everyone responsible for this work of art.

  • Great mix of alt.country, folk and pop
    author: VitoM

    This CD is enjoyable from start to finish. Six musicians, three songwriters: that means a lot of variety both in music and content. There are catchy songs (Suited, Patsy Cline) and slower number (Deep Blue, Sooner or Later); it's a mix of alt.country, folk and pop. It's a pity they disbanded in 2003, but this gives the album an additional value, because you won't get any more albums from them. And the price is reeally inviting... Don't miss this CD!!

  • Pleasing Folk-Rock
    author: Mark L'Ecuyer

    A good folk-rock album from these Nova Scotian musicians. Matt Mays' songwriting ability is espeically apparent with the exceptional track, 'Patsy Cline' and Ruth Minnikin sings beautifully in the vain of Emmylou Harris and Joni Mitchell.

  • oh wow... soooo good!
    author: Jacquie

    This CD is awesome! I heard it before I bought it, but now actually owning it is amazing. Matt Mays is SO great on it and his lyrics are simply incredible. This cd is TOTALLY worth getting.

  • Picutre and old truck red driving down a dirt road lined with tall grass.
    author: Sam Corbeil

    I think the line "Kinda like a long drive at the end of days", encapsulates the esence of this album. Oozing with down home country goodness The Guthries have created not only a great album but also painted a wonderful portrait of rural Canada. With standout songs like - "Season to Leave", "Rhubard Pie" and "Wednesday Night", The Guthries have managed to put to music a feeling. The feeling you get at dusk on a warm July evening as your walking down the street you grew up on watching the sun fall in to the lake. All sound is sucked out of the air like a vaccum and the only thing inside your head is the memories you have of this place. But all the time knowing that as great as it's been nothing will ever be the same again.

  • fantastic alt-country find!!
    author: danielle flores

    a near perfect album. highlight tracks are sooner or later, season to leave, and the opening track better part of an hour. this cd has beautiful harmonies and soaring arrangements, as well as simple and heartfelt lyrics that can hit you where it hurts. i'm buying this cd for everyone i love.

  • Holy @#$!!in %$@* easily the best Indie album I've heard outa canada in a long t
    author: Hipstar Productions

    I recently got passed this disc in Canmore AB. I deal with many up and coming bands from all over this great land of ours and I' ve gotta say that this is the most inspiring music I've heard in a long time. Every single song on this album is a hit if only it can find its audience. Very rich and full of great harmonies, playing and song writing. The production is also close to perfect. I've had the album for exactly one week and a day has not gone by where I haven't listened to it at least twice. Can't wait for more, more, more. Come back out west! Craig Glen, Hipstar Productions, bookings and promotions 604.253.2262

  • Canadians?!?!?!?
    author: Glen Bourgeois

    Who knew? Haligonians with more country soul than most of country music in general! Favorites amongst the music community in their hometown of Halifax, the Guthries really deliver the goods on their long-player "Off Windmill", much as once did Poco, Pure Prairie League and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Sounding a little updated to help please radio-listeners' ears, the sounds still sound pure and warm. Direct vocal delivery (coming close to but never reaching dead-pan status) results in honest performances during which one can appreciate the fact that they can sing without being corrected by machines. Hopefully there will be many more albums from this group.

  • Lots of instruments, musicians, tracks and sounds that blend well
    author: Arvo Subris

    Very enjoyable, lots of musicians who are playing a variety of instruments which produce nice harmonies, solos and more importantly you get the feel they enjoy playing together producing a non commercial sound. Plenty of tracks too. Good luck.

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