San Saba County

San Saba County

San Saba County plays on the outskirts of alt.country, and while retaining a distinctly rootsy orientation, Broken Record bends toward mellower indie rock. The local quintet's first release in four years, this single-sided 12-inch EP perfectly melds to its vinyl warmth, with credit going to Danny Reisch's production and Erik Wofford's mixing. The evolution appears most evident in the recut "As You Like It," closing 2008's ... Though Cheating Was Never an Option with a howling drawl and guitar surge, and now delivered with a chiming, almost Britpop feel. "E-Candle" opens behind a restrained rhythm, tumbling guitar, and keyboard lines that finally slide together into an elegant crescendo, while "Here" hits with more direct, poppier progressions. "Remiss" strikes the most direct alt.country correlation, but finale "Happy Daze" dazzles in its beautifully Wilco-esque nostalgic angst and subtle pacing. The EP only wants for more.