If there’s one genre of music I never expected to start getting into, it’s country. I mean, is there anything likeable about it? How often do we need to hear a downtrodden ex-cattle rustler growl about the tribulations of the trail, or how he’s called Sue, or whatever? Don’t even get me started on steel guitars.
Well, apparently there is something likeable about it. I’m still not exactly sure what it is, but it’s growing on me. Trust me: I’m as surprised as you are.
Count To Fire might not be gifted with basic numeracy (You know fire, right? That number between eight and nine that doesn’t exist?), but they make up for this by being quite good at making music. Their current single “I’m The Man You Need” is more or less a textbook demonstration of how to structure a pop song, and it sports the sort of chorus that stays stuck in your head for days. Seriously: when you fit two verses in before the first chorus and still stick to the minute rule, you’re doing it right.
I should point out that the five-piece – that’s Will, Dan, Ray, Joe and other Joe – are not actually American, but from Devon. For the benefit of Stateside readers, that’s a county in the west of England – home of the culinary joy that is clotted cream. That means two things: firstly, it might explain why they’re a lot better than the bulk of country bands – a little bit of distance from a scene can allow a very different perspective of it. Secondly, it means they’ll almost inevitably be pigeon-holed with Mumford And Sons. That would be a mistake – unless, of course, Mumford And Sons have become talented since I last checked, which I admit was not exactly recently.
Count To Fire came together back in 2008, inspired by a mutual affection for Wilco and My Morning Jacket. There are some footsteps that, when you follow them, can only lead to good things. Since then, they’ve been out and about in their native south west, playing everything from high-profile festivals to guerilla gigs on the beach, and generally building a cult following despite being thoroughly under the radar. Expect that to change more or less right now.
With The Lonely Wild covering similar territory in similarly-loveable fashion, there’s really never been a better time to revisit the Midwest – musically speaking, of course. No offence, Nebraska, but I glanced at some Willa Cather this one time and wasn’t exactly inspired. I’m not saying I’ve become a country evangelist, but I will say this: if more bands in the genre promise to take the same razor-sharp approach to their song-writing as Count To Fire, then I promise to actually listen to their music before dismissing it as schmaltzy nonsense in thrall to an outdated cliché.
You can download their single “I’m The Man You Need” below, or hit up the connect links for more alt.-country goodness. Just don’t mention Mumford And Sons.
Connect with Count To Fire – Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | MySpace
