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The Brokedown
The Dutchman's Gold
Ross Flournoy—Vocals, guitar, bass
Dan Iead—Guitar, pedal steel, bass & vocals
Rob McCorkindale—Drums, percussion
Brian Whelan—Fender Rhodes, piano, bass, vocals
Armed with the pop sensibility of The Monkees’ Davey Jones and the elegant, rootsy chops of Gram Parsons, The Brokedown’s Ross Flournoy is one of those singers who comes right out of the box with charisma and presence. On his band’s debut E.P. The Dutchman’s Gold, Flournoy needs only seven songs to show off his almost otherworldly gift of the groove. “Down In The Valley” is a big, lusty pop song that begins with a slow rumble and builds instantly into an infectious crescendo, replete with sweetly vellicating tambourines, jangly guitars, a reeling organ, a bouquet of handclaps and an invigorating chorus of astonishing pop proportions. “Down In The Valley” is all shimmy and shake, its execution flawless, its appeal crossing the borders of irresistible and settling comfortably in the camp of Fucking Amazing. Elsewhere, “Please” summons the loose harmonies of The Jayhawks; “My Love Is True” is pure punch and swagger and showcases Flournoy’s flawless falsetto and “Word On The Street” is a ragged rocker that manages to churn into a blissful sing-a-long. Later “Dignity” has all the mellifluous vocals of The Eagles’ best work, and comes anchored by Dan Iead’s lilting pedal steel. The acoustic closer “New Year’s Day” may conjure the heartbreaking bend of Parsons at his most doleful, but the performance here is all Flournoy’s as he weaves sadly down the highway singing “You can’t go back/To New Year’s Day.” Any betting man would tell you after a listen to The Dutchman's Gold that The Brokedown’s tenure as the best kept secret in music is probably about to end. This is one that matters.
—Alex Green (Caught In The Carousel Exclusive)
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