Gareth Leach hails from Echuca, but you wouldn’t know it listening to his new album Death & Taxes. His music feels like it comes from America’s Wild West. It’s country that veers to the left of centre, with a darkness that permeates every track.
The title track, “Death & Taxes,” sets the scene, with his lyrics about rubbing shoulders with the devil and spending time in a bottle. This is outlaw music, gritty, bluesy, deliciously rough and raw. The single “Turn Back Jimmy Creek” is a rollicking ode to the life of a travelling musician.
While the first two songs feel almost like Gareth is playing a role, “Better or Worse?” feels like it comes from a really personal place. Its emotional delivery leaves a big impression. It marks an emotional turning point for the album, with the following tracks like “Drink You Goodnight” and the unsettlingly nostalgic “Wayward Son” strip away the bravado. On the final track, “Raise Up Our Guns,” so much is stripped away that we’re left with just the bare bones, Gareth’s voice and an acoustic guitar. It’s simple but so effective. I enjoyed the album’s early tracks, but the back end is where stuff really gets interesting.
While Gareth’s voice and incredible songs are front and centre, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the extraordinary talents featured on this album. From the fantastic Gretta Ziller on backing vocals to Anthony McCormack on banjo and Shane Reilly on the pedal steel guitar, they help create the distinctive sound that sets this album apart.
At just eight tracks and a run-time of not even half an hour, my only complaint would be that Death & Taxes feels too short. But it’s a case of quality over quantity here folks. There’s something to be said for an artist that leaves you wanting more.
Death & Taxes is out now.