Spyderhuff - Tired Wrangler

Spyderhuff

Tired Wrangler
self-released; 2020

3.8 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

How many years has it been since the two members of Spyderhuff made music together? Twenty-eight. Their history together goes back farther than that. According to the band they first started playing music together over fifty years. Who doesn't like a reunion? 

For their release Tired Wrangler they explain the musical subject matter ranges from ‘loud mufflers’ to ‘growing old.’ I'm in, so lets go. They get the car revved up with “Get a Muffler, Babe” which is a slow burn with just enough attitude and grit. It’s a bluesy rock song with some gritty distorted guitar and some sweet harmonica that’s on fire. The vibe is very ’70s from head to toe and the band sounds at home here. They are having fun and you can tell.

I was not expecting synths but I got some on “Desert Rain.” The synths only created some atmosphere which felt appropriate. It’s a more lush song but there is again some harmonica that burns. The name Desert Rain really fit the vibe perfectly. 

The duo have more success with the title track “Tried Wrangler.” I definitely heard a bit more of an affectation on this song. There are some country sounding vocals which by the way are great. This is a slower ballad that is quite relaxing and fun at the same time.

“Ten Thousand Things Could Go Wrong” was another move I wasn’t expecting. This is a funky ’70s type of song. There is a smidge of Bowie here and a very fleshed horn section. It sounds great. They somehow pull this style off. 

I love a good driving groove and that’s what we get with “Midwestern California Boy.” Last up is “I’m in the Middle of a Big Wide World” and was one last turn I wasn’t expecting. There is an ’80s aesthetic to this song and some synths and what could be electronic horns. 

​This was a great release. There were some unexpected turns which just felt like the guys were having fun. I could argue that made the release less cohesive but something about it made it work which is hard to pinpoint. These two clearly have chemistry and make some killer tunes. Let’s not wait another twenty eight-years for the next release.

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