The Third Eye

Today we’re bringing you something out of our norm. It’s not psych, but it is a genre that deserves some attention, and the fact that Nick and I both liked what we heard was enough to make an exception for Redeye Caravan and their new album. So sit back, grab your preferred beverage, and continue reading to learn more. 

July 20th, 2023, will see the release of many albums from the wide world of music. Among these is a new album from Redeye Caravan, a Dark Country album named Snake Oil And Lullabies, which is the reason for today’s discussion.

About Redeye Caravan And Snake Oil And Lullabies

Redeye Caravan originates from Lividia City in Greece, a country known to produce the finest musical offerings from a wide array of genres. You’ve heard me extolling the virtues of that country in reviews I’ve written for Tom’s Reviews, Doomed and Stoned, which also extends to The Third Eye Psych Blog. 

Snake Oil And Lullabies is an album that is heavily rooted in the dark country genre, but I also detect a desert meets Western soundtrack influence; oddly enough, there are also times when I hear a Celtic influence that brings The Dropkick Murphys to mind. 

Their press release states that … 

“The Dark Country collective from Livadia City (Greece) shares its new record release entitled “Snake Oil & Lullabies.” It is a four-track EP in which each song is represented by a tarot card on the cover artwork and tells a dark story.”

So without any further ado, let’s jump into the music and my opinions on them. 

The Songs

1. The Circus (04:38)

“Ladies and gentlemen, behold
Welcome to the show
Here lie the wonders of the world
Form a single row
If you’re feeling really brave and bold
Let your mind blow
Mysteries are waiting to unfold
Welcome to the show”

A perfect set of lyrics to introduce the first song and the album as a whole; it also gives listeners the gist of the topic that this song is centered around. You will become engrossed with their storytelling prowess, as you can envision the circus tents and the freak-show and smell the popcorn in the air. There’s also an old-timey vibe, one that may remind people of the same being present in Fable Cry’s songs. The music’s Western feel is well-defined, but it has the darker sounds that come with the dark country genre, and certain vocal sections slightly remind me of The Dropkick Murphys. This was the first track I’d heard by this band, enough to hook me on their approach.

2. Slow Trains Are Never Late (04:09)

This second track will appeal to fans of The Dead South, which can also be said of the other three songs on this release. Redeye Caravan employs that same familiar, boot-stomping sound, but while you can compare them to The Dead South, R.C. is their own thing, one of their biggest strengths. While this song doesn’t hit me as hard as the first one, it is still an excellent musical journey.

3. Cardinal Sin (04:24)

While listening to “Cardinal Sin,” my mind immediately went to Sons of Anarchy; it’s one of my all-time favorite shows and was known for using music like this. The Western influences are mixed with a blues format, the vocals are slightly raspy, and how it affected me was precisely how I want all music to hit me. This is the best of the four songs for these and many other reasons. 

4. The Town (04:28)

It closes the album with lyrics of the darkest variety, spelling out the demise of the innocent and the terrible reason why it has been so for years. 

“The poor people of this town, they have lived much past their lives
damned to pay this sacrifice because once upon a time
they thought they could outrun and maybe cheat the lord of death himself”

The tone of the music matches the lyrics, taking the listener into the blackness that the citizens of this town find themselves in once a year, year after a terrible year. This is the second-best track on the record. 

Final Thoughts

Usually, I would tell you about the album’s highlights here, but today I’m going to leave you with a brief interview I did with the band. After you finish that, please give their new album a listen!

The Third Eye – What track on Snake Oil And Lullabies do you feel is the best representation of where the band is and why?

Redeye Caravan – To be honest, we’d like to think that every single song perfectly represents what we do. If we really had to choose one, though … well it would probably be “The Circus” because it’s the most different, in a way at least, from what we’ve done in the past. 

Third Eye – What artists do you count as your main influences, and what artists are in the mix that won’t be as obvious to listers?

RC – Believe us, that’s a good question! Everything from folk-americana to good old country music is an influence on us! The Dead South, Colter Wall, The Steeldrivers, Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Snow, Hank Williams, Goodnight Texas, The Builders & The Butchers, and almost every single Western soundtrack. I guess Morricone would stand out by far in that category, ha Last but surely not least, anyone with a sharp ear can spot metal, rock, and dark folk influences here and there, too!

Third Eye – What is your definition of dark country for people unaware of the genre?

RC – Create a good, dark narrative with a haunting soundtrack to amplify the atmosphere and give the lyrics the “greatness” it deserves. We’re going deep to create characters and places that will take the listener to another place from where they are when they listen to the music. You could say that dark country is a state of mind and pure imagination that way!

Support Redeye Caravan by finding them on Bandcamp or social media (Instagram, Facebook).

This review was written by Tom Hanno, who has been writing reviews for the last 7 years but has been sharing his love of music for the majority of his life. Originally starting out at the now-defunct Chimera Magazine, he is currently contributing to Doomed and Stoned, The Sleeping Shaman, The Doom Charts, Tom’s Reviews, and The Third Eye. Read more of Tom’s reviews by checking out his Linktree.

Parting words: “There’s a rumor that there may be an attempt at organizing a possible script for a series on my life, which, when you look at my police record, you’d have to have more than one hour to tell the story.” – Merle Haggard

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