Lincoln Durham: The Shovel Vs.the Howling Bones

Lincoln Durham’s songs are rough around the edges, informed by the history of American roots music — folk and country and blues — as well as rock ‘n’ roll’s loose and lewd energy and attitude. Never mind the comparisons likely to tumble forth, Durham’s material speaks for itself, namely pieces such as “Mud Puddles”, on which Durham tempers the sweltering sweetness of the south with a dash of desirable wickedness, and “Drifting Wood”, a track about as dirty and pointed as can be. Elsewhere, “Clementine” and “Trucker’s Love Song” offer a glimpse of Durham’s quieter side. Those moments are great and all but it’s the loud ones — and there are plenty of those — that will keep you coming back for more.