The Red Dirt Skinners - Sinking the Mary Rose (2013)

The Red Dirt Skinners are Sussex couple Sarah and Rob Skinner, who are continuing to grab attention from the press and critics ahead of the release of this their third album. Having already received recent nominations at the British Country awards and also a musicianship commendation at the British Blues Awards, the band’s music is steeped in roots purity, with a country-pop, melodic twang, but with the unique addition of Sarah’s saxophone which adorns many of the songs here; it lends an energetic jazzy interjection to the sound which is all their own, even though their musical compass is certainly pointed stateside.
Among the high points here, excellent ‘goodbye-and-good-riddance’ opener ‘A Song About You’ is a wonderfully sarcastic kiss-off; it’s bouncing country-pop rhythm cheering the hurt and disdain. Elsewhere the melancholy lament of ‘Alone’ completely breaks the stylistic mould, with smouldering sax over smooth undulating string sounds making this an atmospheric high point. While most songs are delivered in tight male-female harmony, Sarah takes the lead on the similarly heartbreaking ‘Just 18’; the ragged soul of her voice lending the tale of young girl being led astray an attractive gravitas. Elsewhere the old-timey romp of ‘Browns Ferry Blues’ injects some humour.
The Red Dirt Skinners show themselves more than comfortable in a wide array of musical styles and settings, leading to a varied and very enjoyable set of well crafted songs. Big things surely beckon for this burgeoning talented couple.