The newest album from Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys is here to make you dance, and they’re not asking much else of you. Dreamland is a thirteen-track earworm sure to bring life back into any dusty bones.
There’s very little downtime on this album. We’re given thirteen tracks that are packed to the brim with foot-stomping rhythms. No matter how fast or slow the tempo, for the most part there’s this steady heartbeat that’s present. A pulsing vein runs through the tracklist guiding us from start to finish.
This concept is evident right from the get-go. The opening tracks are high energy and fun, particularly the instrumental on the second track. It’s plucky, in both senses of the word. The notes are short and quick and that results in a whole lot of spunk.
There’s also this timeless feel to the album that the group has managed to achieve while still being obvious in their appreciation of old-timey tunes. “Like It That Way” feels like this classic you’ve been singing along to on the radio for ages.
The band gives us a mere two songs to stop and catch our breath. The title track is over two minutes of beautiful strings and vocalizing before the dreamy lyrics come in to sing us to sleep. “Why I’m Right” plays us out on a softer note as well, but there’s still a bit of that heart to it we’ve grown used to.
Perhaps the most surprising addition on this album is the group’s cover of “Run With Us”, the theme song of the 80’s cartoon The Raccoons. The dramatic pop song already feels out of place and over the top for a children’s show. When that dark mood combines with the group’s country twist, the result is magic. It sounds like the soundtrack of a high speed chase in an old western movie.
There are a few other covers on the album that are less out of left field, though just as satisfying. Their version of Gene MacLellan’s “Just Want To Be Loved By You” is happy and lighthearted, a nice match with the lyrics’ simple message. The Hollies’ “Stop Stop Stop” hooks you right from the beginning with its catchy beat.
This album is pure fun. The lyrics can be serious and meaningful, but the band also doesn’t take themselves too seriously. It’s clear that one way or another, they set out to pull together an album that will bring a smile to anyone’s face, and they definitely accomplished that mission.