Chasing the Sun
Though the name "Indigenous" reflects frontman Mato Nanji's heritage as a member of the Nakota tribe, onChasing the Sunhe sounds more like a member of the tribe of Stevie Ray Vaughan soundalikes. Not that this is necessarily a problem when the songs are so strong, the singing so soulful, and the guitar playing so striking. (Even Vaughan was initially typecast as an imitator of Jimi Hendrix, whose influence permeates the guitar tone on this album's "I'll Be Waiting" and "Leaving.") Whereas Indigenous earlier featured Nanji fronting a family band, these days he pretty muchisIndigenous (though sidemen still include his bassist brother Pte). The opening "Runaway" channels so much of Vaughan's signature style that listeners might well mistake it for Stevie Ray, though the album ultimately extends its range to encompass the Allmanesque balladry of "Come on Home" and the bluesy twist given Bob Dylan's closing "Born in Time." What he lacks in originality, Nanji offsets with chops and conviction.--Don McLeese