MaryAnn & the Revival Band

Proper

MaryAnn & the Revival Band aren’t reviving anything in particular. Their style indicates Southern influences: lonesome pedal steel resonating over a rich mix that incorporates tremolo mandolin leads, acoustic guitars, and slip-note piano. And yet when it’s all considered – simmering melodies, upbeat drumming, Marina Hendrix and the gang’s dynamic mic-sharing – it amounts to indie rock. Driving opener “I Can’t Afford Your Company” erupts into a crowded coda of horns and strings. On “Who Could Ever Fall in Love?,” Hendrix and bassist Greg Spencer trade lines that, on an index of romantic duets, land somewhere between “Islands in the Stream” and “You’re the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly.” Later, they downshift into a mournful ballad about Doc Holliday that begins with the lyrics, “I shot some men, but never in the back” and gets better with every line. In only 20 minutes, the Revival Band lands itself in rare company: writers of quality love songs.

***

This article appears in April 6 • 2012.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US