Cory Branan: Mutt

Cory Branan
Mutt
Bloodshot Records [2012]









Fire Note Says: Mutt is made up of all different styles but solidly driven by one Cory Branan.

Album Review:
Mutt seems to be a fitting title for Cory Branan's new LP and debut for Bloodshot Records. It is a record with an Americana spirit and a punk soul but travels down several different musical avenues and is a true mixed genre bag that makes pinning down its style a little difficult.

The album kicks off with the attention grabbing "The Corner" which is a solid acoustic number that you might think sets the tone until the rocked out "Survivor Blues" paints you a completely different picture as Branan's gruff snarl gets Mutt hoping right into the upbeat "Badman". Now you think you are on Branan's game but then the graceful "Darken My Door" takes over your speakers. Its slower tempo shines with a glowing lap steel and female backing vocals which makes it one of the best tracks on the record. Once again you think you know what is next until the more Tom Waits like tracks "Lil Heartbreaker" and "Snowman" come at you back to back.

The end result of Mutt's multiple style changes may hurt the albums overall cohesiveness but Cory Branan's confidence in each track keeps the album entertaining and its songs memorable. Regardless of style, Branan is a talent that seems to on the move up and clearly with more exposure Mutt will not be the last we hear from this under the radar veteran!


Key Tracks: "Survivor Blues", "Darken My Door", "The Corner"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Chuck Ragan
Drag The River
Patterson Hood

Cory Branan Website
Cory Branan Facebook
Bloodshot Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony