Channeling influences as disparate as early The Who, Camper Van Beethoven and Nick Cave into a sound that’s equal parts Americana and Rock’n’Roll, in their new album "Octopus" New Jersey’s Big Wilson River have crafted an in your face rootsy sound that’s as entertaining as it is intriguing. The rock’n’roll single "Eighty Days Armadillos" is a super-fun party song that borrows "My Generation"’s stop and go formula and develops it in more rootsy ways, exploiting to perfection the classic country male/female interlaced harmonies. Lead vocalists Darrin and Emma deserve praise for great performances full of character and earthy passion throughout the record. Other songs in this collection, like "Gipsy Song" and "Dandelion," reveal a more playful approach, with Darrin’s vocals full of punk attitude and occasional psychedelic influences, while other ones, like "Backyard Passout Fest" and "River Boat" develop in more classic folky ways, allowing Emma’s alto to cast its spell. A great record for parties and long car trips.
