Blitzen Trapper

There was a brief moment when Blitzen Trapper looked like the band poised to stand atop the Sub Pop roster. These days, maybe not so much, as each subsequent record doesn't quite live up to expectations. And after the interesting clash of styles on Destroyer of the Void, with its prog rock flirtations, American Goldwing is rather one-dimensional. The band's sixth album is an unapologetic, irony-free country rock record ― whether that's enough from a group that have previously spun engaging tales of questionable characters is another thing altogether. There's no attempt to push themselves, but that allows them to deliver an album that's easy to listen to and, ultimately, very likeable. That might be in part due to the familiarity of it all. "Might Find It Cheap" is one of several Lynyrd Skynyrd-like moments, while Tom Petty must be kicking himself for not writing "Fletcher." When they slow things down, their Dylan-esque tendencies reveal themselves, but again, that's nothing new. And that is the overwhelming feeling after listening to American Goldwing: déjà vu ― well conceived and perfectly executed déjà vu.