Micky & the Motorcars

Hearts From Above

Just as Micky and Gary Braun overhauled their Motorcars lineup following 2011’s Raise My Glass, the siblings recruited a cavalcade of local standouts to assist the local quintet on their sixth studio LP. With Reckless Kelly brothers Willy and Cody Braun producing and providing fiddle, respectively, and guest backing from Bukka Allen, Jon Dee Graham, and Marty Muse, Hearts From Above plies the band’s road-tested, bar-backed roots rock with more polish and a stronger love-song emphasis from the title track, “My Girl Now,” and overly saccharine “Once in a Lifetime Girl.” Jason Eady co-write “Hurt Again” provides the strongest punch, while “Southbound Street” turns the roadhouse trope on its head when the band kicks a Texas country rhythm. Their Americana take of Alejandro Escovedo’s “Sister Lost Soul” plays less convincingly, but “Tonight We Ride” lets the riffs fly to reset Hearts From Above at closing.

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This article appears in September 19 • 2014.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.