Anders Parker – Songs In A Northern Key

Originally issued on Steve Earle’s US label under the banner of alt.rockers Varnaline (Earle and Twangtrust partner, Ray Kennedy, co-produce, too), Songs In A Northern Key is Parker’s broadest vision to date, touching all bases from space-folk through rustic country to belly-aching rock. Less impressive when cutting loose (“Anything From Now” and “Let It All Come Down” are sub-Sebadoh workouts), its finest moments?”Indian Summer Takedown”, “Blackbird Fields”?are subtly arresting mini-classes in bruised, troubled Americana. One step closer to major league.