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Bow Thayer featuring Levon Helm – Spend It All Review
Posted by Mitch Michaels on 02.01.2007

Alt country by way of Vermont takes the folk world by storm…

My Story
I'm a firm believer that a good song is one that can still sound good when sung with just a singer and an acoustic guitar. Though Bow Thayer seems to be the eclectic type, with musical projects ranging from alt country to punk, the artist seems to be of that same mindset. Does his most recent collaboration with The Band's Levon Helm measure up?

His Story
Bow Thayer has been simmering in the underground for nearly twenty years now, playing with acclaimed bands like Jethro and Elbow, but it was only a few years ago, while playing banjo for a band called The Benders, that Thayer began to really break out. Alt country juggernaut "No Depression" magazine picked up on The Benders in 2002 and Thayer himself became the face of the burgeoning roots rock revival in the Northeastern US.

Bow split with The Benders following their 2003 release, Mountain Music, and moved on to work on his first solo offerings. The following year saw Thayer release two albums, Maintenance For Moodswings and The Driftwood Periodicals, Vol. 1 on Vermont-based Crooked Root records. Both discs were well-received critically and bright things were predicted for the future of Bow Thayer.

Around the time he recorded his first solo albums, Thayer also spent some sessions with former Band drummer Levon Helm. These tracks were put together for release recently, as well. Thayer is currently doing shows in New York City and the surrounding area in support of the new album.

The Album
On January 16, 2006, Crooked Root released Spend It All, the third solo album by ex-Benders frontman Bow Thayer featuring drummer Levon Helm, formerly of The Band. The album is available through CDBaby.com, as well as other outlets.


The Band: 8.0
Bow Thayer: vocals, guitar, electric guitar, harmonica, banjo, resonator ukulele
Levon Helm: drums

It's appropriate that this album is tied to The Band, because it's the sort of rolling, soulful folk-rock that has been sorely missing from the radio since that act took their Last Waltz. Bow Thayer is an inspired singer, delivering his songs with a matter-of-fact accent and a rural easiness. The background harmonies also recall folkies like The Band and early Eagles, so much so that you'll be singing along once you know the words.

Helm adds a levity to the proceedings that is palpable. His drums keep things steady-rolling at all times and you just have to fantasize about what other input he had hear. Not to say that this is a Band rip-off. Far from it. For one thing, the songs aren't near as pop-shiny as some of The Band's later efforts. Thayer keeps things entrenched in the front porch atmosphere, with upright bass, harmonica and mandolins so down-home wonderful, you'll swear you hear the rocking chair gently creaking along to the beat. Only the added organ and other keys give sign that this was, in fact, recorded in a studio.

In the end, this CD comes across as friendly and warm. Benders fans may be hoping to hear Thayer on banjo a bit more (he only busts out the instrument on two tracks here), but that's a minor qualm. The backing musicians here are more than capable of keeping things interesting. This is a perfect album for driving or just a late weeknight. Rural route not included.

The Songs: 7.5
1. Got My Attention
2. Thinner
3. Wingless Angels
4. The Way That It Swings
5. Snake Bite
6. Stoned Kid
7. 10,000 Beer Cans
8. Nor Easter Snow
9. Road To Oblivion
10. Jewel

As a songwriter, Bow Thayer has really blown me away. His songs invoke a wistful nostalgia for country life without bowing to the jokiness of other "southern" fare. And, make no mistake about it: despite Thayer's status as a Vermont-er and his references to Calgary snow and nor'easters, this album is a southern man's delight.

Standouts on this album include the fun, medium paced opener, "Got My Attention", which has a great hook: "You got my attention/By breakin' my heart", and the backwoods creeper "Wingless Angels". The closer, "Jewel", is a gorgeous, dreamy number that features Thayer on ukulele. It will break your heart.

In the end, Thayer proves himself as very adept at creating true emotion in his music, a trait that will surely shine on several albums to come.


The 411: Spend The Night is Bow Thayer's third solo album and has the added boost of featuring a famous guest spot by Levon Helm. Helm surely adds a weightiness to the procedures, but Band fans that find their way to this disc may just walk out with a new favorite artist. Thayer is a hell of a songwriter, invoking country-style emotions and southern gothic imagery by way of the northern states. There's a low-key atmosphere on this album that works well to showcase Thayer's lyrics and also to add to the overall back-porch feel. If you have any interest in modern folk music (or even the greats of the past, a la Dylan and John Prine), give this CD a spin.

Final Score: 8.0 [ Very Good ] legend