A Fix Back East

Tarbox Ramblers. Rounder.

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On their second album, Tarbox Ramblers outgrow a tasteful reverence for roots, making
grimy, thrilling noise. Led by the agonized vocals of Michael Tarbox, this Boston band acts like
the last 40 years never happened, peeling away decades of other folks’ clumsy blues and country-rock
adaptations to reveal the crazed intensity at the music’s core. Tarbox is an inventive guitarist,
unspooling subtle slide licks and raspy boogie riffs, seconded by Daniel Kellar’s ominous violin.
“Honey Babe” echoes the swagger of Howlin’ Wolf, while “Last Month of the Year” blends soaring voices
and pounding drums in an uneasy celebration. A Fix Back East depicts both sin and salvation, but
Tarbox makes the ailment sound more enticing than the cure.

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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