A seven-song E.P is a bit like a three-course snack, a welcome but almost guilty surprise. Texan RYAN HAMILTON and his English band THE TRAITORS have for the past year been releasing a song (or two) a month for their Traitors (fan)Club subscription service. Delivering new music direct to your fan base for a small monthly fee is another way of keeping the corporate wolf from the door as Spotify/streamed/downloading noose continually tightens around many musician’s impoverished necks.
Opening cut and lead single ’I’m So Glad’ has a hazy lazy beach feel which slowly rises with melancholy Mellencamp sensibilities while slowly drifting off on a raft of ‘what might have been‘. ’The Ghost Of James Dean’ is a superlative American dusty highway, convertible driving, Marlboro smoking Rawk ’n’ Roll tune. Up next is another relationship reflective ditty, the gotta get away, emotional rebooting ’Brand New Man’. Ryan’s impressive voice confidently flows throughout with his natural country edge giving each song a little dab of Texan spice. ‘Same Page’ and ‘Sick And Tired’ both cattle prod the heart of regret while causing involuntary singing and head bobbing. ‘Stranger Across The Street’ speeds pass into a flurry of Indie, Punk Country rodeo. Final track ‘Say My Name’ is a barroom Glam bang, wham bam, thank you mam knockout punch. The band take to the road with The Main Grains in March for a quick UK tour, (dates and links below) now that’s a show worth seeing.