Patrick Kavaney & The Last Drags

Polishing makes Kavaney shine

His second CD benefits from a new producer and a more focused approach

By Serena Markstrom

The Register-Guard

Appeared in print: Friday, Dec. 18, 2009, page D3

Patrick Kavaney has made dramatic strides forward on his sophomore album, “Darning Socks for the Apocalypse.”

The sound is more cohesive than on his debut, “Weather or Not.” And the songwriting is more accomplished.

Kavaney and his band, the Last Drags, will celebrate the achievement tonight at Sam Bond’s Garage with a CD release party, which Kavaney says is as much a celebration of Ehren Ebbage’s production as anything. In the last year and a half, Ebbage has produced albums for all three acts on tonight’s bill.

This time around, relatively recent Eugene immigrant Kavaney had the advantage of working with Ebbage from the project’s onset — which may account for the overall increase in quality.

Another factor may be that Kavaney worked on his first recording over five years in two states, but toiled on this one for only about a year.

Kavaney’s singing sounds a lot like Jon Bon Jovi, especially on his slower songs. But worry not: His songwriting aesthetic is firmly planted in the tasteful Americana of the current decade.

On “Weather or Not,” Kavaney called his style “schizophrenic.” “Apocalypse” has a more evened-out, rootsy style, but he hasn’t abandoned a taste for experimentation.

“Spanish Nightmare” goes into different musical territory than the other nine songs. It also is one of the tracks that hints at the (emotional) apocalypse in the album title.

Instrumentally, the album is mature and benefits from the years of experience of its players, especially Ebbage. Ebbage’s guitars are on almost every track, and he also contributes drums, percussion and “random weird electronica,” according to the liner notes.

Vocally, the strongest tracks are the slower ones, such as “Driving Dreams,” “Starring Role” and “Swagger.” Kavaney tries to stretch his vocal range, going low in “Spanish Nightmare,” but it comes off as a bit unnatural.

Depending on your perspective, Kavaney also reaches for a comic twist on “The Twinkies Are All Spies (a Tweekers Love Song).” But for me, that song is the most apocalyptic of the bunch.

Sorry Junction City. Kavaney has documented your methamphetamine problem in song.

Concert preview

Patrick Kavaney and the Last Drags

What: CD release for “Darning Socks for the Apocalypse”

With: John Shipe, the Stagger & Sway

When: 9 p.m. today

Where: Sam Bond’s, 407 Blair Blvd.

Admission: $5
- The Register Guard

Anyone who has heard the music of Bill Frisell knows how good a combination jazz, Americana and rock music can make. Patrick Kavaney may not list Frisell among his influences, but it is clear that he too has discovered the dynamic possibilities that exist when putting these sounds together. The only difference is, unlike Frisell, Kavaney sings on his albums.

Patrick Kavaney and the Last Drags’ debut album, Darning Socks for the Apocalypse, is 38 minutes of road trip-perfect grooves, mid-tempo shufflers, somber ballads and tales of what was, what is and what hopefully will be. From the Tom Petty-esque “Waking Song” to the straight ahead jazz-meets-road rock sound of “Ego Bandito,” Kavaney and the Drags demonstrate just how much fun they have making music. At the same time, the mellow single “Driving Dreams” is reminiscent of Frisell’s easygoing Good Dog, Happy Man album, so you know Kavaney and the boys can calm things down when they need to.

Dysfunctional love, scenes beneath starry skies, statements about not regretting the mistakes of the past, tales of delusion and grandeur … it’s all here in spades. These guys have made a laid-back, occasionally toe-tapping album that makes a pleasing cocktail out of great musical styles — a cocktail you’ll be sure to enjoy at their show. Patrick Kaveney and the Last Drags, The Stagger and Sway and John Shipe play at 9 pm Friday, Dec. 18, at Sam Bond’s. 21+. $5. — Brian Palme - The Eugene Weekly 12-17-09

http://www.jerseybeat.com/quietcorner.html

From the title of PATRICK KAVANEY AND THE LAST DRAGS’ “Darning Socks for the Apocalypse” (workingstiffrecords.com), one may think we’re talking punk, but no, PK&TLD is a mix of country and Americana, with some rock’n’roll thrown in. But one thing is when they are witty, they spare no expense, with songs like “Spanish Nightmare,” “Delusion & Grandeur” (as in being on the corner of), “Looking Forward Back,” and “Ego Bandito.” Yet even with the puns, the songs are strong and tend toward the ballad, but stay pretty strong. Kavaney’s voice is well suited for this material, and what also makes this record, is its basis on strings: guitars, lap guitar, slide guitar, and bass flow through, with a real good rhythm holding it up. There’s even a bit of Tex-Mex thrown in, with “Waking Song.” They may be from Oregon, but they have that more southern sound down. Not as harsh as, say, southern rock, or as bland as modern country, they’re somewhere in-between, with a rich, full sound. - Jersey Beat