Leeds based country punk/art rock band The Mekons follow-up 2018’s It Is Twice Blessed release with Deserted – an album inspired by Joshua Tree. The group’s bassist The Baron (aka Dave Trumfio) set up a studio in Yucca Valley, CA on the outskirts of Joshua Tree and the band quickly became inspired by the surroundings, leading to the writing and recording of Deserted. Standout tracks include: the driving opening track “Lawrence of Californian”; the poetic rocker “Harar 1883”; the off-kilter ballad “How Many Stars”; the rambling “Andromeda”; the foreboding, spaced-out “Weimar Vending Machine”; the haunting “In The Desert”; and the atmospheric closer, “After The Rain.” Deserted is another solid Mekons record and if you’re a fan be sure to check the album out and catch them live when they roll through your town. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Camper Van Beethoven, The Meat Puppets, Minutemen, Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros, X