LAST TRAIN HOME: Last Good Kiss

Last Train Home

Last Good Kiss

© 2007 Red Beet Records (700261210407)

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Masterful roots rock, with an indie attitude. Last Train Home's highly acclaimed latest, released March 2007.

notes

Decisively stepping out from under the alt-country/Americana umbrella with Last Good Kiss, Last Train Home asserts itself as a powerful rock band. The songs on this release put frontman Eric Brace's songwriting in another league since his move to Nashville in 2003. After 10 years of making music, this formidable roots rock band has made the best album of its career, with solos by Steve Wedemeyer (guitars) and Jen Gunderman (keyboards, accordian) and rhythms by Jim Gray (bass) and Martin Lynds (drums, percussion).

Here's what the Washington Post has to say about it:
"Last Train Home is based in Nashville these days, but the band travels so much it might seem that frontman Eric Brace would be hard-pressed to keep coming up with first-rate songs between tour stops. Apparently, that's not a problem. If anything, "Last Good Kiss" suggests that as far as the quality of Brace's songwriting is concerned, the more road work the better.
Consider the album's opening and title track. A rushing, Last Train express out of Nashville, the song swiftly reveals Brace's knack for conveying hair-trigger emotions with just a few choice words. It's also a stirring showcase for the band's new lineup, featuring guitarist Steve Wedemeyer and keyboardist Jen Gunderman, formerly of the Jayhawks....
In addition to well-crafted songs, Brace's increasingly soulful vocals and guitarist Wedemeyer's twang-town thrust, the album features evocative touches of accordion, trumpet, banjo, percussion and vocal harmonies...There's no shortage of mood-enhancing accents from start to finish."

And from Audiophile Audition's 5-star review:
"If there’s a consistency to the songs on this album, it’s that they’re all consistently excellent. Brace delivers the vocals with sincerity and authenticity that is nearly devastating—every note and phrase rings of heart-felt and life-lived truth. And if there is a better vocalist working the scene at this time, I really don’t know who it could be. His voice is colored in turns by passion, weariness, elation, and angst. Eric Brace is the real deal. “Last Good Kiss” is a significant step forward in the evolution of a great band, and could very well be the best album of their career. This gets my highest recommendation."

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reviews

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  • Surprisingly good! I bought it based on one song!
    author: Gayla Nelson

    I had heard one song by them and really liked it. I bought the CD and listened to it twice. While I really love a couple of the songs, much of it is a bit too slow for me, but my husband absolutely loves the whole thing so I think it deserves 5 stars!

  • Another fine album
    author: Ivor

    Having seen Last Train Home twice in Germany, chatting to friendly frontman Eric and buying almost every CD they've done (not the Christmas one so far...), I just had to have this one and couldn't wait for the European release so I ordered from cd baby. Again the songwriting is strong, the musicianship and singing great, the production just right. The only quibble I have is the slow tempo of a lot of the songs when this band can really rock! Not the best LTH album for me, hence "only" 4 stars and not 5, but if you prefer their slower songs, you'll love this. Can't wait to see them live again!

  • Another fine album
    author: Ivor

    Having seen Last Train Home twice in Germany, chatting to friendly frontman Eric and buying almost every CD they've done (not the Christmas one so far...), I just had to have this one and couldn't wait for the European release so I ordered from cd baby. Again the songwriting is strong, the musicianship and singing great, the production just right. The only quibble I have is the slow tempo of a lot of the songs when this band can really rock! Not the best LTH album for me, hence "only" 4 stars and not 5, but if you prefer their slower songs, you'll love this. Can't wait to see them live again!

  • A confident, personalized roots rock sound that leaves us in high spirits
    author: Joe Ross

    Playing Time – 48:47 -- Last Train Home continues to ride the wave. While based in the Washington area, they won a dozen WAMMIEs (Washington Area Music Awards) and has built both a solid reputation and fanbase over the years. Last Train Home’s latest eclectic alt-country effort (their fourth album overall) includes eleven originals, ten by guitarist/vocalist/frontman Eric Brace and one penned by guitarist Steve Wedemeyer. The band has been cranking out the tunes for about ten years, and Brace relocated to Nashville in 2003. Delivering a confident and personalized roots rock sound, Last Train Home also includes Jen Gunderman (keyboards, accordion, percussion), Jim Gray (bass), and Martin Lynds (drums, percussion). Jen and Martin contribute background vocals. Also appearing in the mix are Kevin Cordt (trumpet), Claire Small (backing vocals on “The Color Blue”), and Tom Mason (banjo on “You”). The title track opens the set with a desire to move on beyond broken hearts and promises despite the availability of one “last good kiss.” The set makes a dynamic segue to melodic electric guitar riff of “Flood,” a song about being carried away on the rising tide of love. A poignant ballad with acoustic overtones, “Anywhere But Here” expresses the yearning to find new direction. In fact, many of Brace’s sentiments are about his optimistic needs, wishes and dreams, through thick and thin, always trying to keep an upbeat attitude despite adversity and rejection. Gunderman’s accordion gives the band a distinctive Texas border sound, and my guess is that they’re building a legion of fans in the Lone Star State at roadhouses and dance halls where they perform. The 5-minute “Go Now” and 7-minute “May” express some of Brace’s most pensive and reflective moments -- “be brave enough to let it all in, always give more than you take.” Putting these two relaxed songs back-to-back at the midpoint of the set creates a whole different mood, one that is captivating but some may feel is enervating and causes the set to lose some of its energy. I hope that lyrics for their songs will be uploaded soon to the band’s website because listeners need to contemplate and reflect upon them. The second half of the set make some clear and convincing statements, but I felt some additional background vocals would have sweetly embellished choruses on songs like “I’m Coming Home,” “Kissing Booth,” and “Marking Time.” The combination of percussion, trumpet and Claire Small’s vocal backing make the album’s unique closer, “The Color Blue” awash with an impressionistic azure character that leaves us feeling in high spirits and content with the overall set. (Joe Ross, Roseburg, OR.)

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