Straw Dogs'
Hum of the Motor is a road album in the best sense of the term -- just enough country, just enough rock, and just enough of a shimmering epic quality to evoke thoughts of highway journeys. David von Beck's songwriting is top-notch, and from the sunny, and a little sad, "All the Things," to the grooving "Blind Me Again," he employs a sound reminiscent of
James Taylor,
Jackson Browne and
Ryan Adams.
Dan Tyack's pedal steel really stands out, especially on the shuffling "Last Exit," a good ole country tune that has a lot in common with the material of the Los Angeles outfit
I See Hawks In L.A.. Though von Beck hasn't yet developed a vibe as characteristic as, say,
Eric Bachmann's of
Crooked Fingers -- yet -- he's well on his way. ~ Charles Spano