Reviews

Artist: Peppercornrent
Album: Cigarettes, Gin & Dead Dogs
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 13
Rating: ***
Contact:  www.peppercornrent.com

I'm always concerned when I hear that a band has slimmed down to six members and that those members are often joined by regular guest musicians. Unless it's handled well, big bands often make cluttered albums. This concern was compounded by the opening track "Plastic Jesus" which also features radio clutter at the start off the song and the sound of cars going by during the song. Thankfully it's something that doesn't feature too often during the album, but you are aware of it.
Most of the time you are aware of an abum that flits through roots styles, but does so unashamedly and in a way that allows it to bring the right feel to the song, te advantage of being big. There's a touch of blues, folk, roots, americana, even some Spanish flourishes but they are right for the songs.
I was surprised to discover, that with the exception of "Jolene", all of the songs were written by one person, Chris Jones, who also produced the album. Normally when a menu has this many flavours it's more of a collaborative effort, especailly when getting the flavours to balance.
Allie Hurst is the vocalist who gets to pull the album together. She's got a voice that reaches across the spectrum rather than the range. By that I mean she can do sultry vocals that try and seduce you, strong vocals that make you stand up and listen and moody vocals that can take you from nightclub sleeze to your front room, depending on what needs to be projected.
With so much going on what you don't need in a band is ego and either because this is a good crowd that adopt an almost family approach to the recording, everyone contributing to the greater good, like an open session can be when everyone works for the song not their ego, or because Chris is either a good shot with a blackboard rubber or has a big stick.
Cigarettes, Gin & Dead Dogs is the album of a band that's happy in it's own skin. The band are currently kicking around the London's East End, but will hopefully start getting further afield in the not too distant. 
Peppercornrent soundlike they could be a great evening out. They take their music seriously, the songs are thought about, but the band know that the role of a band is to entertain and that comes across well. Ironically it's the cover of "Jolene" that shows them at their best. You know the material it gives the band a mark to be judged against and they don't come out wanting. A bit more spit and a little less polish, sometimes less is more, and Peppercornrent have the finished article.
Available online and at gigs