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"Euphoria Station's “Smoking Gun” is less progressive than before, but still offers a sonic journey through the desert expanses beloved of American westerns."
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3/5
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Euphoria Station, consisting mainly of the couple Saskia Binder (vocals) and Hoyt Binder (guitar, formerly of Lobate Scarp), has been taking us on a road trip since 2017 into the heart of America. This third album, “Smoking Gun,” features Saskia on the cover, glaring with a dark look and a still-smoking gun (hence the title of the album), challenging us in a manner worthy of Calamity Jane. Who will succumb first?
Euphoria Station could happily reinvent itself as an immersive travel agency. From the very first notes (a cover of the standard “Amazing Grace”), the scene is set and the listener is ready for an exciting journey. “Take The Highway” reveals its charms: a clear and pleasant voice, a guitarist adept at solo outings, a fiery rhythm section (featuring bassist Jorgen Carlsson from Gov't Mule and drummer Toss Panos from Robben Ford) and a flute that rightly evokes Jethro Tull. Each of the tracks is like a little vignette that could be found in a Tombstone newspaper, and the atmospheres specific to America are melodiously well constructed. However, the journey proves to be eventful, with stormy weather on the bluesy and sticky “Smoking Gun” and even on the tormented ballad “My Mistake.” Euphoria Station helps to protect its musical heritage by giving the harmonica a prominent role (“Nowhere Junction”).
However, the album is a little less progressive in format than in the past, with the emphasis on melody and emotion. The progressive element comes knocking when Hoyt launches into a blistering solo guitar attack. But often the ascent is abruptly halted by Saskia, as if to put a stop to the chaos. The album, which lasts over an hour, would not have lost anything by being shortened (in particular “Carolina On My Mind,” a variation on previous tracks, or “Dusty Roads,” a late instrumental that deserved better treatment). However, the opus ends on a high note with ‘November Came Early’, which races off in all directions.
Listening to this album is highly recommended. While Euphoria Station sounds a little less progressive than before, let's not deny ourselves the pleasure of criss-crossing the Great Plains with a soundtrack worthy of a western! - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Amazing Grace (In Memory Of...)
02. Take The Highway
 03. Smoking Gun
04. Nowhere Junction
05. Off The Beaten Path
06. My Mistake
07. The Ballad Of Grace Malloy
08. Carolina On My Mind
09. Sweep Me Away
10. Here With You
11. Living For Today
12. Dusty Roads
13. November Came Early
LINEUP:
Hoyt Binder: Guitares
Jorgen Carlsson: Basse
Ronald Van Deurzen: Claviers
Saskia Binder: Chant
Toss Panos: Batterie
Mike Disarro: Chant / Invité
Rebecca Kleinmann: Invité / Flûte
Tollak Olestad: Invité / Harmonica
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