Release Date: August 15, 2025
Label: Independent
“The Swinging Gate” opens the album, instantly transporting you
to a cinematic Western scene. The guitar’s resonating twang and the slow-paced
drums create an atmosphere of anticipation, like a man walking out to his
destiny. The scene is set, and you’re right in the middle of it.
“A Discouraging Word” carries with it that foreboding sound of
something about to happen. Picture in your mind the cemetery scene in The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
Or something similar, and you get the idea. The acoustic guitar has that flavor
to back the electric guitar as well.
“Curly Wolf” starts quite differently. The sound of a mouth harp
twanging, and the guitars are pensive, awaiting the next move. Piano is
introduced to create its own theater of sound. This music is very purposeful
and cinematic. It works well with the blend of instruments being used. Some
Spanish-flavored acoustic notes emerge towards the end to add yet another layer
to this spicy musical sauce.
“Hangman’s Theme” starts again with the mouth harp, some guitar,
and the whistling of someone waiting for something to happen any moment.
Percussive elements sound like a horse walking, and the sound of spurs on the
man’s boots is audible as he approaches the gallows pole. Or, in the case, it
could be a tree branch, depending on where the execution is being held. The
guitar resonates once again with perfection as the other elements that come
into play complete the track.
“Boot Hill” begins with a catchy acoustic riff, and that mouth
harp makes its distinctive sound. The music is very slow-paced in tempo, and
the sounds being added create an atmosphere all their own as the guitar plays
on, repeating the same riff. The drums sound like a march to a destination,
with the sound of a constant bell effect echoing through the track.
“Four Bells” is a quick piece at 1:01, featuring bass, mouth harp, and repetitive guitar notes, and then it's done.
“Well’s Run Dry” brings back the atmospheric soundtrack to our
spaghetti western in full bloom. The guitar’s presence is what sets up all the
other musical elements that come into play to create this thought-provoking
soundscape.
“What’s the Worth of a Man? (Interlude)” At 1:15, it’s like a
quick commercial break before the story continues. Very cinematic.
“There! Over Yonder!” cranks things up to another level. The
guitar is loud, getting one’s attention, with the bass setting the pace like a
clock, ticking away. The well-placed guitar lines are drama coming to life. It
sounds like a Cowboy turned in his acoustic guitar for an electric and plugged
in, and was discovering all the cool effects.
“The Gallows” at 1:28 is another short musical walk and
something with reverberating guitar notes and some whistling of a nervous
convict.
“It’s Time For Me To Go” is a musical narrative, featuring a
melody that tells a story. The tambourine sounds like a steady walk away from
the character’s troubles, but the story isn’t over yet. The guitar resonates
beautifully with the other instruments, creating an atmosphere that keeps you
engaged until the very end.
“The Long Goodbye” is the logical progression of the last track
conceptually. This time, we hear a melodica (which sounds like a harmonica) along with the steady bass and
drum like a metronome going off in the middle of a desert. A good rhythm is
established, accompanied by a strumming acoustic guitar.
“What’s the Worth of a Man?” encapsulates the essence of a
Spaghetti Western. The guitar, once again, perfectly captures that Western
sound. The tambourine sounds like spurs as the character walks towards the
sunset, ending the album with a nostalgic nod to the genre.
It’s Time For Me To Go is an excellent soundtrack to any Spaghetti Western that will form in your mind’s eye as you listen. Similarly, if you have watched your share of those types of films, you will quickly realize that this man, Johnny Anguish, has got it down cold.
Keith
“MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Reviews Founder
September
6, 2025
Tracks:
01. The Swinging Gate 02:04
02. A Discouraging Word 03:34
03. Curly Wolf 03:09
04. Hangman’s Theme 03:36
05. Boot Hill 03:10
06. Four Bells 01:01
07. Well’s Run Dry 02:45
08. What’s the Worth of a Man? (Interlude) 01:15
09. There! Over Yonder! 02:55
10. The Gallows 01:28
11. It’s Time For Me To Go 03:34
12. The Long Goodbye 02:56
13. What’s the Worth of a Man? 03:08
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