Olav Larsen & the Alabama Rodeo Stars- Stream of Conciousness

I don’t think I can mention Olav Larsen without bringing up the cliche. At least, until he’s more well known. He is, as his name might suggest, African-Norwegian and he makes the most authentic Americana music. I mean, they are the Alabama Rodeo Stars. Of course, a description like that isn’t going to get anyone to listen (at least repeatedly) if the music wasn’t any good, and believe me, the music is that good. The new album Stream of Consciousness has Olav finding duet partners for nine songs. I don’t know if I can find a better RIYL than alt country. But I know that doesn’t help much, even if he seems tangential to a lot of great artists. Perhaps, of course, because the band doesn’t stick to one extreme. At their quietest, I can’t help but hear some Lyle Lovett (and probably a good bit of Prine). Yet, sometimes they seem to go down paths that only get travelled by bands like Freakwater or Giant Sand, bands that seem to be in a different direction altogether. Still, I think this is a pretty interesting disc and would recommend to any fan of Alt-Country however they see that.