Jersey Beat Magazine:
CHUCKANUT DRIVE – “Fidelity Grange” (Ragtown Records – www.chuckanutdrive.net)

Hidden in the suburbs of Seattle, and apparently not making it out of the area much — which is a shame — is this alt-country combine which actually sounds more Texas grit than Seattle cool. Actually, think about Son Volt, but with more rock touches and with a more approachable singer than Jay Farrar (and with more accessible emotional content but without the whining). Or, and just as appropriately, think The Band or Bruce (in the “I’m On Fire mode) with a more country approach and a lot more swing to them. The band’s sound revolves around principal songwriter and lead singer Steve Leslie, a Texas native with a grainy and worn, but still warm quality and a Townes Van Zandt feel to his songwriting. Lead guitarist Loren Huggins is firmly in control of his Nashville licks and can push it harder when needed, assisted by occasional touches of horns, pedal steel and a bit of a gospel choir. This is a band which seems like it could be just as comfortable, and work the crowd equally well at Billy Bob’s and Maxwell’s. Occasional small glitches in production don’t really interfere with the enjoyment of the record which should get them a deservedly wider audience.
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