Milton Mapes - The Blacklight Trap Album Review

Milton Mapes
The Blacklight Trap
Album Review
Undertow

Milton Mapes' shaggy rock/ Americana mix is hugely engaging, drawing at turns Uncle Tupelo, Nashville Skyline Dylan or inevitable Neil Young Harvest comparisons. The band is named after the singer/ guitarist's grandfather, and their happiness to play unadulterated musical rock would surely make the old fella smile. Like Richmond Fontaine's 2005 album The Fitzgerald, The Blacklight Trap explores a range of characters intensely and cinematically - characters searching for something they're not finding. The band tip heavily onto the rock side of the Americana ridge from country, but it retains enough of the tang to be emotionally compelling. Lyrically, the songs are astonishing in their storytelling, providing the perfect counterpoint to the dark and elemental guitars. If you loved Iron and Wine's collaboration with Calexico, this has to be on your shopping list.

Rating 8/10

Mike Rea
Adult Contemporary Essentials

Rating Guide
9-10 Essential purchase
7-8 Good, definite buy if you've liked this artist in the past
5-6 OK only, don't say I didn't warn you
3-4 Poor, even for this artist
1-2 Awful