Pete Mancini is a bit of an enigma. In Foothill Freeway he steps off on his own and where his band Butcher’s Blind evoked feelings and sonic landscapes of early Wilco and the 90s alt-country movement, before Americana was a broad stoke genre, Mancini infuses a whole slew of his own inspirations and influences into these songs. Steeped in that same roots-root palette, weeping pedal steels and all, but with tinges of pop punk embedded in his vocal inflections and early inspired inkings of The Band and Dylan that seep their voices into his solo sound.
On songs like the title track Mancini paints a sparse landscape with a light acoustic strum and a pensive vocal weaving the tale’s as swooping fiddle grazes across his voice. A bit longing and melancholy, but a reminiscent fond memory that hits right to the heart. Other tracks are dotted with harmonies and classic country instrumentation, as is that case with “High Wind Slick Roads”. A duet that would make Emmylou and Graham Parsons envious. Country slide guitar and dueling male-female vocals, with that tubey telecaster sounding guitar and a super steady rhythm section. There is no shortage of variety tied up in a neat package here on Freeway. Pete has found a formula that works, and works well. “You’re Gonna Change” has an almost Old Crow Medicine Show feel to it instrumentally and The Byrds tribute “Sweethearts of the Rodeo” is a playful romp that is both warm and dusty with an uptempo lift and forward movement, trickling along with each fall of banjo notes and thumping bass rhythm. There is an undeniable timeless quality to these songs.
All in all, the record covers a lot of ground sonically. Banjo plodding long drive numbers rub elbows with an acoustic ballad or two and there is no shortage of diversity spanning the breadth of roots-rock nostalgia with a fresh take. Its fun, but still sharply focused on penning a good tune. Mancini’s voice is calm and collected and finds its fit right in the middle of the slurry of instruments swirling around it. Like the perfect pair of your favorite boots, caked with dirt and broken in from excessive wear, this is a record that will stand the test of time and surely get its use from the owner.
You can pre-order the record HERE…its out May 4th folks.