Album Review: Alluvium

Penny Opry is a two woman band that I had the pleasure of seeing at the Northern California Pirate Festival that I took far too long getting on the show. To be fair though I’m not sure there is any other albums out there, at least online for Opry so we’ll just go with I was merely waiting for Alluvium to be released to get them on the show. They describe themselves as a whiskey fueled time travel party and as a drinker and a man with two Doctor Who tattoos it just makes sense to have them on the show. They are quite fun as a live band and I’m eager to see how this has translated into in album form.

A reminder on how we do reviews on the show. I write my thoughts here as I listen to the album; in a sense what you’re reading is a stream of thought from yours truly. I am in no way qualified to give my opinion but as the Proprietor of the Inn I do feel duty bound to do reviews of the bands, for the bands and for our listeners as well.

We begin our journey with “Rock About My Saro Jane”. I should mention that the ladies play a antique button accordion; suitcase drum and ukulele. I say this as if you’re didn’t know you may be surprised by the first sounds you hear as the album begins. Lyrically the song feels like a traditional sea shanty but it appears to be an old steamboat song, similar to “Roll The Old Woodpile Down” that we often hear nautical bands sing.  Maybe it’s the inflection of the vocals or perhaps due to the nature of the song itself but I am getting a bit of bluegrass vibe from the song.

“Come Take a Trip in My Airship” will get the steampunk community’s head to turn on title alone. The opening riffs of the accordion give me a polka feel, which in my opinion works for a steampunk feel. As a fan of many steampunkish bands this fits right in with those. The sound and themes work very well in that genre, especially love the inclusion of mention of the Man In The Moon. I’m not sure if it’s the polka vibe of the story quality of the song but I find myself swaying from side to side. It is a quite lovely romantic song if you following along to the lyrics.

Up next we have “Walkin’ in the Rain” which I’m curious is going to sound and am pleasantly surprised by the appearance of the ukulele and I’m immediately transported to that Hawaiian feel, very Israel Kamakawiwoʻole and I dig it. As an unabashed fan of his “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” this touches me right there. Lyrically it’s touching me somewhere down in the cockles of my heart and it just works for me. I like to color outside the lines is just such a beautiful line.

“Dark and Stormy Weather” is a song title that definitely gets my interest. It takes “Rain” and brings it to a darker level, which makes sense to have it followed that song. As someone who has often spoken on how I like to have albums arranged this is a perfect alignment. In fact if you take the lyrics from “Airship” and “Rain” I could argue this is a continuing story and I am really digging that. Not sure if that’s the goal of Opry but it’s having that effect. Also the ukulele is reminding me of Disney’s Robin Hood in the best way possible.

A surprising thing having “Roll Alabama Roll” on this album. It’s just not a song often sung and now here it is on another album this year. It was on the Sharks Come Cruisin’s album, When I Get Home From The Sea. I am really digging the percussion in this song, fitting in perfectly. A sea shanty whose origin is more obvious than others it’s interesting to see this sort of resurrection this year in the pirate community. This one is a faster pace and more traditional and I can definitely see audience stomping along.

“Low Bridge Everybody Down (Erie Canal)” is unknown to me but apparently it’s a 1905 song about pulling barges on the Erie Canal so I’m intrigued. Wow, they took this and made it resemble Fifteen Men on a Dead Man’s Chest, brilliant. I honestly think I can say I’ve never heard this song before and Opry is doing this brilliantly. Much like “Alabama” it takes you back to that late 1800s and keeps with the theme. As much as the accordion is fantastic I actually think the star of the song may be the suitcase drumkit; it really shows off its versatility. 

Next up is “Lindy Lowe” and we begin with a countdown so you know the pace is coming. Judging by the lyrics I’m gonna wager this is another steamboat song since it’s talking about the Mississippi and Ohio. We continue to stay in the late 1800s which, like the romatic songs earlier, keeps a theme coming. I think you’d find the audience up and dancing around during this song, maybe even a gig or two.

“My Best Friend” brings the ukulele back and we’re back to the Israel feel. It is also the first song I can remember having modern references in it. I will say this, I have a great number of friends who are going to LOVE this song. I anticipate a great number of requests during live shows, campgrounds, etc by friends who wish to hear this song. A lot of sing along, arm in arm, dancing around the fire. A beautiful song that I think really touches on friendship.

Now I know “Rye Whiskey” by The Pirates Charles but I don’t think we’re hearing that here, but I could be wrong. Would be interesting to hear it in Opry’s style. The long deep first note of the accordion is the perfect start for this song. What I really like about this version of “Rye” is the almost feeling of drunkenness that they are able to pull off. Somehow the vocals and instrumentals all add to it. Fans of Pride O’ Bedlam should enjoy this song immensely. 

“Bonnie Highland Laddie” will get you stomping right off the bat. There is an intent behind the vocals that I don’t think we’ve heard so far on the album that I’m enjoying. By the nature of how they’re performing the song it is easily the most traditional of any song so far on the album. It will no doubt be popular whenerver Scotsmen are about.

We end with “As You Wonder” which brings us back to the ukulele and probably the strongest Israel feel we’ve had yet. This is a beautiful song perfectly situated at the end of the album. I am reminded of “What a Wonderful World” but as far as I can tell this is an original song by Opry and I’m just blown away. This is first dance of a wedding beautiful; striking with the painting of a picture with lyrics. Ended the album with maybe the best song, bravo.

As a debut album it doesn’t get much better than Alluvium; it showcases who the band is, what they do, and who they are. I really appreciate how the album is laid out, with portions coming together and telling stories. A lost art in this day in age and Penny Opry should be commended on it, even if I’m just reading too much into it. I look forward to not only seeing them live once again but for their next album.