REVIEW: Langhorne Slim & The Law - The Way We Move

Portland, Oregon-based Langhorne Slim is one of those musicians who should be widely known and appreciated.  His Americana blend of folk, bluegrass and indie is affecting and catchy.  He writes good songs and performs them passionately.  So, is he famous?  Probably not, but that's show biz!  However, lack of fame doesn't deter When You Motor Away, which specializes writing about quality artists that haven't yet exploded on the big time.  Lanhorne Slim's latest album is The Way We Move, recorded by him and his current band, Langhorne Slim & The Law, and released last month on Ramseur Records.

Langhorne Slim knows his way around a ballad (take the time to find his "I Love You But Goodbye" from an earlier album; here's a You Tube link: link),  and this album contains several tracks, including "Song for Sid", that will burnish his reputation in that vein.  But, in my opinion, The Way We Move hits its highest points on the rollicking numbers.  Check out the title track --



Slim is a raw, soulful troubadour with a bit of punk attitude.  Thematically, the core of this album is loss -- the end of Slim's five year relationship, the death of his grandfather, moving out of his Portland home.  But emotionally, the music is vibrant and life-affirming.  And it is performed by a tight and energetic band.

"Great Divide" --





Slim's original name is Sean Scolnick, and he was raised in Pennsylvania and graduated from the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College.  He and his collaborators have released several albums over the past 12 years or so.  The current line-up is Langhorne Slim (vocals/guitar), Malachi DeLorenzo (drums), Jeff Ratner (bass), and David Moore (keys/banjo).

Live performance of "Salvation", one my my favorite slower-paced Langhorne Slim songs --



Website
Facebook
Twitter ( @LanghorneSlim )