Fronted by charismatic singer-so
Seldom do band members rebound gracefully after their main
musical effort falls apart, but Keith Goodwin (vocals/guitar) and Tim Arnold
(drums/vocals), members of the once up-and-coming progressive rock band Days
Away have managed to do just that, pulling a 180 with their sound to a great
degree of success in their new acoustic folk project Good Old War. Rounding out
the trio is Dan Schwartz (guitar/vocals) from the Americana tinged 6 piece band, Unlikely
Cowboy.
After sifting through various monikers, the band decided on
Good Old War, which stems from each of the band members last names (Goodwin,
Arnold, Schwartz), but also added personal significance to the battle that is
the artistic process, being a twenty-something, and living in these
oh-so-troubled times.
Unlike the recent trend among indie rock artists who have
visited the country/folk genre, Good Old War makes no attempt to assimilate its
music for the sake of novelty. There’s no fake twang in Keith Goodwin’s soft
vocals, nor does the band try to overindulge itself by adding sounds by the
harmonica or mandolin just for the sake of having them. Instead, this trio from
Pennsylvania
retains the intimate storytelling nature of folk-song structure, playing music
for those who desire an emotive, lyrical experience without having to wade
through pretentious or unnecessary musical gimmicks to get it.
Only Way To Be Alone, Good Old War’s debut full length, was
produced by Rick Parker (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Miranda Lee Richards) in Los Angeles in May 2008.
The recording process became a family affair with long time friends Anthony
Green of Circa Survive and Dave Davison of Maps & Atlases joining in on the
track “Weak Man”. This was not the first time Good Old War had shared a studio
with Green. Keith, Dan and Tim recorded as Anthony’s Band for recently released
solo album, Avalon.
“The trio have mastered the art of three-part harmonies and
their lively and intricate songs are a throwback to the days when Crosby, Stills
And Nash ruled the rock world…Rocks Like: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young / Fleet
Foxes / Simon & Garfunkel” – Alternative Press
“Their single "Coney Island" made the audience anticipate
more from the band, and created a long line at the merchandise booth to pick up
their new album, Only Way to Be Alone” – Suffolk Journal
“The album immediately grabs your attention with this aura
of nostalgia – drawing comparisons to Harry Nillson, Paul Simon's "Graceland,"
The Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" and protest-era Beatles” – The Trentonian
“Only Way To Be Alone has all the components of an instant
classic – it sounds like it could have come from any decade out of the past
five, but its timing right now just makes it all the more refreshing” –
AbsolutePunk
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