This collaboration between Troy Lindsey and Bosaya is a most unusual and unlikely one. It all started when Lindsey visited Moscow about a decade ago and met singer Bosaya there. He was in search of a music store, and while we’re not sure if he ever found the instrument outlet he was looking for, he sure discovered a fine singer to record in Bosaya. Long story short, Bosaya was able to come to the United States and create original music with Lindsey. While this album’s title track, “The Battle,” finds Bosaya singing her vocal parts in Russian, the overall feel of the record is American (and more specifically) Americana music. It’s a fine set of heartfelt songs, too.
The aforementioned title track speaks both literally and metaphorically about war battles. With the recent war in the Ukraine, one imagines its sentiments are near and dear to Bosaya’s heart. Of course, the U.S. has also been involved in supporting the Ukraine in its war with Russia, so this is a conflict that has touched all of us – one imagines – quite deeply. Sonically, the track has a chunky, meat and potatoes electric guitar groove. Its sound may remind you of Neil Young’s ‘80s anthemic releases.
– https://spotify.link/bgVa5EaLezb
– https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-battle/1683975439
– https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ne9ri_CiTyfhy4iSyUM7Yri1iGugjBjvI
– https://audius.co/troylindsey2016/album/the-battle-102741015
A couple other recordings on the album stand out, as well. One called “Old Enough To Know Better” is significant because it’s performed over acoustic instrumentation. Its lyric addresses aging. It finds what sounds like a guy complaining, like an elderly person, with no filter. It’s often humorous how older people can get away with saying stuff younger people would never dare to utter. It’s almost as if, with their long life, they’ve earned the right to speak their mind, express whatever’s on it, without worrying about the consequences. This track also includes a really nice fiddle part. It has the feel of a song being sung around the campfire, someplace in the mountains, where truth is spoken openly and freely. A second outstanding inclusion is “Quiet Game.” Instead of driving guitar, this one is built upon acoustic piano, instead. Speaking of keyboards, “Bear Trap” is introduced with organ, and that instrument goes on to pump its way all the way through. Piano returns prominently to the mix for “PTSD,” which closes out the album. It’s a slow, hushed ballad with reflective lyrics. Bosaya sounds especially good while singing along with Lindsey on it.
Perhaps the album’s most romantic song is one titled “Kiss Me In The Morning.” It’s performed over an electric guitar picked part, and even includes ocean sound effects. You might say it’s the sound of a walk on the beach, put to music. Lindsey, as a singer, is not the smooth operator variety. He’s more of the plainspoken, straight shooter type. One imagines he probably talks exactly the same way. No flowery words, just the facts, ma’am. That approach, at least, is how many of his songs sound here.
Who knew a chance meeting in Russia would result in such a meaningful musical pairing? You just never know what you might come home with whenever you travel. Troy Lindsey hit the jackpot on his recent journey, and The Battle is his fruitful result.
-Dan MacIntosh
