SUSS is a country band, but not just any country band, a self-described "ambient country" band. What this means is that they place mood above the melody. In that way, they're a lot like the western-themed sludge and black metal bands that have arisen from the wind-whipped plains of the American prairie seas in recent years. Inspired by the vastness of those spaces, they like SUSS, aim to fill the endless recesses of the country's interior with an expansive, aural aurora borealis. What separates SUSS from a band like In The Company of Serpents is legion, but most notably, there is not a hint of pessimism in SUSS's sound, only an earnest delight in the opportunity to make a brighter tomorrow about of the pieces of the world we find ourselves in today.
SUSS is made up of Bob Holmes, Pat Irwin, Gary Leib, Jonathan Gregg and William Garrett, all of whom are vetted members of NYC's various art scenes, having played in bands as diverse as Rubber Rodeo, Band Aparrt, and The Raybeats. The band's premises is simple, "Eno on Ennio." Or, what would the dust pillared, translations of the American west that so memorably textured and scored films like The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly sound like if they were brought back to the country form which those inspirations flowed and were then metabolized by musicians whose sensibilities lie more with Kraftwerk than Kenny Loggins. The answer should be obvious from the title of this piece. This modus is an aesthetic commitment that the band is still able to mine gems from, even headed into their third album, Promise.
Promise is a title and album that flows directly from the emotional and thematic contents of SUSS's sound. The sweeping Paris,Texas-inspired chords and lofty tempered, disposition of the compositions speaks to an openness to experience. One that looks at life and the land we call home and sees the potential for harmony. A wellspring of love, waiting to be tapped. A geyser of gratitude waiting to flood the cloudplain above us and whose particularized eruption will become part of the very air we breathe. You will be hard-pressed to find another album as beautifully textured, that has as strong of a sense of contentment about itself while still mustering the energy believe that the world can change for the better. Give Promise a listen this evening. Maybe some of its vibe will rub off on you. It certainly did on me.
Get a copy of Promise via Northern Spy here.