The third record I bought from Pokey LaFarge. I don’t think I have anything on CD of him at all, by this time I think I was listening to my streaming source already. No CD needed anymore. All this access didn’t stop me from being a bit disappointed about Pokey: he doesn’t have that same vibe he had on his first albums.
What happened is there was less traditional string plucking, and more poppy guitar riffing. I’ve seen this a lot with bands: they start with good intentions, draw attention by creating an original sound, and then drift towards the middle of the road. Where they get too much competition by bands that are just better at driving there. Usually this spells the end of your beloved new discovery. This process takes between 1-3 albums.
I hope I don’t sound too cynical about this. Sometimes a band can surprise me. Pokey is not one of those. I was surprised when I was listening to this, his sixth studio album. I remember it as an example where this middle of the road thing happened. But when I listened I realised that it might be less folksy than the earlier albums, but still has its own merit. Though not the best (and the last one I bought from Pokey) it is still worth a listen.