The Good Ones Got Away. New Earth Farmers

The Good Ones Got Away? This sounds ominously like an album of second choices only. If this, however, are the leftovers from a great recording session, many-a-band would want to be able to come up with them. New Earth Farmers, formerly New American Farmers, has produced a fine record containing a mix of Americana, pop and rock. Colouring within the lines, true, but with the brightest colours imaginable. And then there's 'The Garden'. I'll get back to that song, promised.

New Earth Farmers is a five piece band from the West Coast with a link to The Alarm in drummer Nigel Twist and to Chuck Prophet. I must have seen lead-guitarist James DePrato and bass player Kevin T. White play besides Prophet several times in the pre-covid years. Musically the band evolves around Paul Knowles, singer, guitarist and keyboardist and his partner, guitarist and vocalist Nicole Storto. They set out the musical lines on this record.

Two songs stood out for me immediately, the very explosive, massive and near epic, 'The Garden' and the enormously poppy 'Oh, Mary'. I was inclined to write not to expect further fireworks on The Good Ones Got Away. New Earth Farmers plays decent music. That songsmithing was a better word for it. I was wrong. It is song two and three on the album that gave me that impression. There is so much more going on, like the World Party cover, 'Waiting Such A Long, Long Time'. The song truly rocks. I love it.

Anyone who has a musical ear of more than a few decades is able to pick out some of the influences that Knowles and Shorto have sucked up in their lives. It has all led to songs that are so good to listen to. Songs of warmth and compassion of love and tears. Some louder, some softer, always well crafted

The album starts with 'Oh, Mary', previously presented on this blog as a single. The pop feel ought to bring this band to the radio, as it has that little extra. The lyrics a little provocative for the very religious, with a little snipe at water and wine at the marriage in, where was it, Canaan? The kind of song that got songsmiths The Jayhawks on the radio 30 years ago. 'Oh, Mary' has that quality, that fun and level of playing. As far as I'm concerned, why not play it today?

From there on the album takes a turn towards more serious listening and this works out quite well. More subtle and moments where the little extra's come out nicely. An organ, nice lead lines, harmony singing. The sound is always warm and inviting. Perhaps the songs are a bit interchangeable but wait for that moment where James DePrato lets his guitar speak for him and the organ is turned up a little. One of the moments The Good Ones Got Away is turned upside down.

And then 'The Garden', the album's sixth song, recorded live. New Earth Farmers goes into overdrive and pump themselves up tremendously. A song of epic proportions. It should have been the final song. Now the album's candle is blown out by a short 'Interlude' and a beautiful ballad. 'Temporary Road', slowly washed away.

Reading the band's name I had expected a true country band. Luckily I tried it out anyway, resulting in a nice album having been added to my collection. Rock and roll comes in many shapes and sizes. Here's another example of that.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order The Good Ones Got Away here:

https://newearthfarmers.bandcamp.com/album/the-good-ones-got-away