What was accomplished on their previous effort Roots Revival continues into their latest cd titled Transient. The Kris Lager Band's motto is to "celebrate life." But some of the song themes find individuals confronting an abyss that is a dark reflection of their psychological make-up.
Lager could of opted and gone the copycat blues route like many of his companions. He could be recycling licks not caring whether his personal identity emerges. So he becomes a devotee of the jam band circuit. Meshing influences of the Radiators, Little Feat, The Allman Brothers and the Black Crowes, The Kris Lager Band nurture a homegrown sound organic and alchemical.
Other flavors are thrown in the mix. Zydeco and Tex-Mex are the concoctions pushing instrumental "Good Times" like a parade on Congo Square. When "Good Times" seamlessly segues into the instrumental "Sandals," you can get the feeling of walking into New Orleans Tippitinas.
Touring with Mato Nanji from Indigenous rubs off on Kris. But only in small spots. Opening track "44" stomps with its tribal war riffs and lyrics waxing despondency and depression. "Jenica" is a highway song driven by Lager's mean slide and Jeremiah Weir's crescendo organ swells.
The themes of solitude run wild. Ballad "I Got The Devil" is as harsh in melancholy as "My Own Worst Enemy" which borrows a riff from several artists. If your blues/rock collection is big enough, you can pinpoint it down.
It is hard to categorize The Kris Lager Band. Infusing the ingredients of blues, Tex-Mex, Zydeco, country and rock, these youngsters are adept at flexing their muscles without being pigenholed as a one trick pony.
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