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Kurt Vile - So Outta Reach EP Label: Matador OLE-969-1 Format: Vinyl, 12", EP New Country: US Released: 08 Nov 2011 Genre: Rock Style: Indie Rock Tracklist A1 The Creature A2 It's Alright A3 Life's A Beach B1 Laughing Stock B2 Downbound Train B3 (so outta reach) Halloween may be over, but Kurt Vile’s new EP, So Outta Reach (hits shelves next Tuesday) leads off in true midnight-movie form with “The Creature.” According to the Matador blog the EP contains five unreleased original songs initially recorded during the sessions for Smoke Ring For My Halo plus a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Downbound Train.” Kurt Vile is starting to hit a gold seam with his meticulous heartland rock. What with the brilliant breakthrough album "Smoke Ring for my Halo" already in the bag as one of 2011's best he now releases this EP made up of songs written or recorded during the "Halo" sessions. This comes on top of 4 albums and 4 EPs in just 3 years (notwithstanding his in and out relationships with fellow Philadelphians The War on Drugs) thus it is alleged that he rests on the seventh day. The essence of Vile is to be located in that linage of great American artists like Springsteen, Fogerty, Seger and Petty. He produces top notch American rock with his band the Violators which taps into this rich tradition but like his sparring partner Adam Granducial he is not afraid to throw in a bit of Kevin Shields here, Can or Neu there and for good measure mix it all up with Dylan like themes and lyrics. The six songs on "So outta Reach" are slightly darker than the set included in "Halo". No where is this more apparent than the song which kicks the ball onto the pitch "The Creature" a sort of alternative rock spaghetti western soundtrack theme which rolls along with a reverb lined vocal from Vile and a guitar where the strings scrape and whine as he weaves spellbinding guitar lines over them. Next up "Its alright" a drone like punchy rock number in which he specialises, he manages however to provide a more breezy following number the almost summery "Life is a beach" which is a delicious piece of hazy acoustics and shows that if Vile can keep songs this good off his main album he has a strength in depth that must terrify other contemporaries. the longest track on the EP is "Laughing Stock" (not the Talk Talk number) and it one of those filthy swampy blues numbers which Tom Petty used to have the patent on and indeed the pace and attitude here is akin to one of Pettys best namely "Refugee". The standout track which will possibly intrigue most is the cover of Springsteen's "Downbound Train" which Vile takes from the bare bones of the original blue collar lament on "Born in the USA" and turns it into a high end grungy stoner rock and forges an altogether more frightening beast and one the best Springteen covers this side of the Pecos. Finally the EP passes out gently with the title track which brings this EP to a slower and more reflective conclusion. Kurt Vile is an artist on the fast track to rock greatness and if you have yet to have the pleasure of his company seek out the wonderful "Freeway" from his earlier album "Constant Hitmaker", move heaven and earth to get a copy of "Smoke ring for my halo" and dont be afraid to invest in this excellent new EP. Kurt Vile has had an excellent 2011 and at this rate who knows what might come next? Surely down the line is a big classic album and thus dont let the smoke get in your eyes just keep a watch on this remarkable new artist. Kurt Vile - Downbound Train 8/6/11 40 Watt Club Kurt Vile - He's Alright Kurt Vile - Laughing Stock live at 95bFM
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