It took me about 10 seconds of the first track, “Photograph,” to get the feeling of Potlatch. Those first few piano notes set the tone for a stunning debut from Bean Pickers Union. “Photograph” examines a town torn apart by a flood and they lyrics combined with the music makes the town come alive. The music absorbs you and places you at the scene that singer/songwriter, Chuck Melchin, paints for you.

Melchin is without a doubt a wonderfully talented songwriter, as the 10 song Potlatch examines pain and struggle in a number of settings. But in addition to being a songwriter, Melchin is fantastic storyteller. My buddy Moish once commented to me that Patterson Hood wasn’t the best songwriter, but was a spectacular storyteller. Melchin, in my opinion, wins in both categories.

The third track, “Reaper,” tells the story of a man murdering his lifetime friend, Travis. Travis comes to an untimely end as the man finds him attacking his wife. It’s just Melchin and his guitar crafting the tune, but it makes me feel like a fly on the wall as the character fells Travis with his sickle.

This is a brilliant album that will appeal to fans of Neil Young, The Jayhawks, Uncle Tupelo and their many descendants. I don’t know how Bean Pickers Union will manage to put out a better effort in the future, but I’ll be listening.

MySpace | Website | Buy Bean Pickers Union - Potlatch

Bean Pickers Union - Photograph