Steel guitarist Jeff Plankenhorn gives C&I readers an exclusive first listen to his upcoming breakthrough album, Sleeping Dogs, out May 4.
Austin, Texas-based guitar slinger and slide player Jeff Plankenhorn wins audiences with his soulful, impressive riffs. A familiar six-string presence around the Lone Star State’s music capital, the singer-songwriter has a new solo album, Sleeping Dogs, set for release May 4.
The 11-track record crosses blues, rock, Americana, gospel, and country, giving fans a sweet taste of Plankenhorn’s rich vocals and windows-down carefree anthems. Though plenty modern, Sleeping Dogs also successfully taps into nostalgia.
The album opener, “Sleeping Dogs,” feels like a post-grunge-era melody on par with hits from ’90s bands like Gin Blossoms or Toad and the Wet Sprocket, while the track “Never Again” builds upon its heavily distorted electric and steel guitars to mimic a late-’80s rock ’n’ roll crowd-pleaser. Bringing it down a notch is the slow, clean, and vibrant “Further to Fall,” a rock track that highlights Plankenhorn’s lyrical composition. Its easygoing bluesy drawl exposes heartache, longing, and despair.
Under the wing of Texas favorite Ray Wylie Hubbard, Plankenhorn even has the earthy “Tooth and Nail,” which tackles sin and outlaw ways and is sure to appeal the country masses with its featured contribution (singing, playing, and co-writing) by Hubbard.
Overall, the album nicely showcases Plankenhorn’s pronounced talent as a singer-songwriter and steel guitarist. There are songs here to win over every type of music lover.
Get an exclusive listen to Sleeping Dogs below.
For more information on Jeff Plankenhorn and to preorder Sleeping Dogs, visit his website. Photography: Mary Keating Bruton.
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