GRANT, LIAM - Prodigal Son

"VHF debut and second widely-available LP by Liam Grant, part of a new generation of underground 'American primitive' guitar players serving the traditions and smashing them up simultaneously. Prodigal Son is a portrait of an artist on the road, changing fast, recording things as they spring from the fountain. The sound here is raw -- grass and dirt instead of pre-fab; homemade/handmade instead of high-tech, etc. There's a visceral quality and immediacy of culture that's being lost every day in modern life -- Prodigal Son is a chance to grab some of it back. 'Palmyra' has Liam on weissenborn-style lap steel, the sound fuzzed out and distorted by the guerilla recording technique. 'Salmon Tails Up The River' stretches out to nearly 13 minutes, a dense meditation on 12 string that sustains a dark and heavy mood for the entire duration. On the B side, 'Insult to Injury' reverses the mood, with an elegant and unhurried 12 string sequel of deep beauty. Liam's unexpected take on Loren Conners