The cover photo of Rodeo Clown, the debut long player of Montreal-based country outfit the Nora Kelly Band, alludes in some measure to the theme running through the album.
Band leader Nora Kelly explains, “We all know that a clown’s role is to act goofy and make their audience laugh, but underneath, we have no idea how they are really feeling. I can relate. I can be too much of a people pleaser, too worried about putting others at ease even when I’m not smiling inside. It’s something I’m working hard to move past, and a lot of the songs on this album reference, in some way, that journey I’m on to break those habits and stand up for myself.”
Yet many of the songs on the album are just plain fun, reflecting the clown’s painted smiley face – laughing and winking at the silliness of life. Encompassing ten tracks, Rodeo Clown was written by Nora Kelly, produced by Kelly with Ethan Soil, and mixed by Pietro Amato.
Speaking subjectively, entry points include the opening track, “Mmm-Delicious,” with its gleaming, slightly dissonant, country-flavoured intro that mousses up to archetypal hoe-down-like harmonics.
“Lay Down Girl” starts with a tasty drum shuffle rolling into a banjo-laced, upbeat tune wherein Kelly reminds herself not to allow others to use her as a doormat. Kelly’s vocals exude wry tones, giving the lyrics the right amount of reflective colouration.
A soft folk tune, “Catch a Bone”, reveals a sad mood, emphasized by a low, crying violin and Kelly’s gentle, haunting voice. A personal favourite because of its sensual flow, “Horse Girl” features finessed percussion that doesn’t just keep the tempo but adds another instrument to the song, injecting luscious, round, textured accents. Kelly struts her drawling voice, imbuing the lyrics with a sensation of dark mystery.
Drenched in deliciously articulate pedal steel guitars, “Déjà vu” slides and slinks on creamy, shimmering layers of harmonics. This tune has a voluptuous feel, floating and drifting on bluesy, atmospheric tendrils. “Purgatory Motel” sees Kelly parading her best country twang as she petitions God to let her reside in purgatory rather than heaven because “Though I’ve been good, please don’t send me to Heaven / All of my friends are down in Hell.”
Lying somewhere between wistful Americana and bouncy country, Rodeo Clown is well-paced, allowing listeners to appreciate the enchanting voice of Nora Kelly.
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