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Great American Taxi : Paradise Lost

GAT

On a record that ironically bemoans money loss (“Poor House”) to natural wonders (“Blair Mountain”) to brain cells (“Angel Dust”) to immune systems (“Radiation Blues”) to a profitable career (“Gonna Make a Record”—and name-checking MTV, Rolling Stone and Relix )—the 6-year-old Americana act finds their muse. Once appearing as a curious all-star side project of jam and bluegrass brethren, Great American Taxi have hit their stride with a remarkable record that defines their purpose, rocks with passion and leaves a memorable artistic impression. Songs surface, punch the listener with boisterous vigor and then move forward to the next creative idea, while featuring guest collaborators Elizabeth Cook, Barry Sless and Tim O’Brien. What is most telling is how confident the quintet—led by Vince Herman and Chad Staehly, and produced by Todd Snider —appear to be. More than anything, the Taxi sounds positively inspired, shooting for that loose ‘60s Dylanesque sound mixed with a fair measure of Gram Parsons that many bands attempt but often fail to pull off. Paradise Lost turns a poignantly-title work and concept on its head, while discovering another kind of nirvana. And that ain’t exactly a bummer, man.