US Rails have got mad game; their music has that warm vintage quality you get from listening to Zep on vinyl. (Which is infinitely better.) Band members Ben Arnold, Scott Bricklin, Joseph Parsons, Tom Gillam, and Matt Muir cultivate this breezy, whiskey-soaked sound with subtle hints of both experience and acquired wisdom. They’re like a low-key Traveling Wilburys with nothing to prove. All accomplished, seasoned musicians, they genuinely sound like they like playing together, and their songs are infused with nostalgia of good times past. Like that awesome Faces tune, Ooh La La (the Faces one, NOT the Rod Stewart cover, yuck), US Rails songs are lil’ nuggets of wisdom. Think of the band as a bunch of dad-like dudes who write funky music parables to keep you on the straight and narrow. Who play rad campfire tunes. That are also ideal for long car rides through farm country.

Seriously, if Cameron Crowe made another movie about hippie rock ‘n’ rollers, or growing pains, US Rails should be the jams he picks for the killer soundtrack (which, arguably, are better than the movies themselves). I just love the idea of bands scattering all over and then coming back to play together, ‘cause you know they have heart, you know? They aren’t like other self-righteous, wizened dudes of music, who probably doesn’t walk into the studio unless someone slips him an envelope of cash. Like Mick Jagger does anything for anyone other than himself? I bet Lennon would have been the same way if he was still around, just completely hopped up on himself. And don’t tell me Paul McCartney doesn’t think he’s God’s gift to humanity… his music is crap, yet he feels the need to put out albums and make dumb videos for five-word songs. (Interestingly, all are/were British. Hm.) US Rails is likable and totally listenable. I get the vibe they just like to play. They go off do their own thing, and then get together again, (I think) ego-free. How do I know? Any band singing “They don’t know how lucky we are” (off their tune “Lucky Stars”) isn’t taking anything for granted.

US Rails
Friday, April 9, 2010, 7:30 p.m. @ The Note
Saturday, April 10, 2010, 8:00 p.m. @ Kennett Flash
Sunday, April 18, 2010, 7:00 p.m. @ World Cafe Live