Luther Russell
Adrenaline
2007-08-07
On his fourth album, Repair, singer-songwriter Luther Russell has assembled a satisfying mix of Americana, blues, indie folk, and downcast pop. The album kicks off with the Elliott Smith-y “Rise & Shine”, turning Revolver-era Beatles hooks into melancholic DIY pop. Catchy single “Everybody Falls in Love”, with its lazy charm and Byrds-like guitar picking, nods to Jeff Tweedy without copycatting. “When Your Way Gets Dark” is low-key boogie-woogie blues, complete with tickled ivories and turnarounds on the bass. Repair is a charming record, but it doesn’t try very hard to get noticed. If you’re willing to put in the time, though, Luther Russell’s latest will bring you many small rewards.