These United States - Crimes Album Review

Album review of Crimes by These United States released through United Interests.

Jessie Elliott is the main protagonist to These United States, his ability to write songs seems to be endless and you could imagine Dylan wishing he could write prose like Elliott's lyrics.

Their debut album 'A Picture Of The Three Of Us At The Gate to the Garden of Eden' is quite different to their new album Crimes, it's akin to Dylans 'The Basement Tapes' but brought right up to date in every area, writing quality, recording and instrumentation, Elliott's captured the vibe of the album perfectly.

It would be easy to imagine Richard Manuel, Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm and Rick Danko all in the studio when listening to 'Get Yourself Home' or 'Six Fast Bullets'. We Go Down To That Corner is a beautiful song, perfect in many ways, a modern take on a blues song.

For These United States, Crimes is a huge leap forward but one to the side too, much different to their last album but still of great quality and a indubitable joy to listen to.

Rating 9/10

Mike Rea