Blitzen Trapper are known for their Americana style of folk rock, yet their last album, Destroyer of the Void, was a slight experimental departure from their successful, established elements sounding more like a tribute to Wilco then anything else. American Goldwing sees the band return to more familiar territory which is probably a huge relief to most fans (or at least this one). While Destroyer of the Void flirts with prog-rock textures, American Goldwing simplifies the palette featuring ingredients that made the band successfull: great guitar licks, singable melodies, and an honest, gutsy, 70s vibe aimed at blue-collar America – except Blitzen Trapper are a little too hip to be simply a blue collar band. Perhaps the fact that they are from Portland, arguably one of the most progressive cities in America and home to the hippies, the post-hippies and the hipsters, allows them to transcend musical lines. Certainly Furr, their critically acclaimed LP from 2008 appealed to the working class, the hippies and the hipsters alike. American Goldwing will rejuvenate many of those fans who didn’t get Destroyer of the Void.

While it does not have the strength of Furr, American Goldwing contains a number of ear pleasing tracks worthy of mention. It is somewhat ill timed that the 6th release from the band is due out as the summer draws to a close because the album as a whole makes for excellent road trip music, especially ‘Street Fighting Sun’, which could have easily won an award for the best roll-down-your-window-and-crank-it riff of the summer. The album is balanced nicely with its softer, gorgeous moments including ‘Astronaut’ and ‘Stranger in a Strange Land’ which contain beautiful melodies coupled with introspective lyrics. There is not a low point on the album and the energy stays strong through the different peaks and valleys, though it will inevitably be compared to Furr which is still a step above. Still, American Goldwing is a solid effort from a band that has only been together for a decade, and has already put out some amazing records. This one celebrates their depth with the country twang of steel guitar, acoustic picking songs, and crunchy fuzzed out rock. The move back to roots and back to basics was a good one for Eric Early and the rest of his quintet.