Coxey’s Army: Stand Together. Keep the Faith
Echo Scale™:★★★★ (4)
Ohio’s Coxey’s Army arrives with their debut LP, Stand Together. Keep the Faith, carrying a weight of Midwest grit and working-class defiance that feels both timely and timeless. Far from a polished, focus-grouped offering, this is a record built on sweat, conviction, and cheap whiskey; a sprawling, 12-track testament to resilience that lives up to its blue-collar billing. For a magazine like Echo Rebel, this isn’t just an album; it’s a mission statement.
The Pogo and the Political Bark
From the moment “The Vagabond Son” kicks off, setting the scene with high-energy, infectious punk, Coxey’s Army establishes their uncompromising identity. The production, notably rough and gnarled, is less a flaw and more a deliberate aesthetic choice, it’s the sound of genuine punk, abrasive and contentious, refusing to smooth its edges for mass appeal.
This attitude is the fuel for tracks like the fiery, anti-capitalist anthem “Blue Collar Pilgrim.” While the mix gets muddy, the message cuts through like a straight razor. Nate Rising’s barked vocals aren’t designed for subtlety; they’re a necessary tool of the trade, reminding the listener exactly what it means to be truly punk. A special mention must go to AJ Hutchison’s intelligent, winking guitar solo on this track, perfectly serving the song’s simple, pointed intensity.
The record maintains relentless swagger through the intense, pit-ready blast of “The G5C” and the ruthless aggression of “Clarion Call.” If you love the raw, scratchy dynamic of traditional punk, these tracks are pure adrenaline, even if the mix occasionally pushes past charming into slightly too rough territory.
The Storyteller’s Compass
Where many punk bands rely solely on volume, Coxey’s Army shines brightest in its less angry, more impactful moments, leveraging their deep Americana influences. Their strongest asset is their storytelling; a relatable, no-fluff lyricism that hits you right in the core.
“Send ‘Em Packin’” exemplifies this, blending Americana with elements of surf to create a vivid narrative tapestry. But the true emotional peak arrives with “The Ballad of A Prideful Man.” This track is simply phenomenal; heartfelt, weather-beaten, and delivered with an authenticity that leaves no room for pretense. Bassist Nate Rising deserves a shout-out here for a big, warm tone that underpins the whole weary journey.
The album proves the band can handle impact with varying degrees of force. “Faithful,” an early album highlight, maintains instrumental aggression while delivering a more emotive, frustrated tribute, showcasing a perfect arrangement. Later, the closing track, “Take Heart,” delivers a closer that hits you right in the feelings, a rewarding and emotional conclusion to the journey.
Keeping the Faith (and the Rhythm)
Coxey’s Army is clearly a group of well-aligned musicians with a shared taste, yet the album is unafraid to explore its influences. “’Til the end of the line” is a successful, authentic dive into Celtic Punk, proving this is a lived-in influence, not a nominal nod.
The one point of friction is “Runaway.” While a beautiful, circusy, turn-of-the-century American tune in isolation, its dulled punk edge feels a touch too weak in the context of the overall album’s kinetic energy. However, moments like the infectious, optimistic singalong of “You’re Gonna Make it,” with its great hi-hat work and yelled vocals, quickly restore balance.
Yes, there are a few timing issues across the 12 tracks, which, while occasionally grating, ultimately contribute to the album’s overwhelming charm. This isn’t a precision-engineered piece of art; it’s a document of passion.
The Echo Rebel Verdict:
Stand Together. Keep the Faith is a blood, sweat, and tears folk-punk labour of love. It’s raw, it’s rough, and its refusal to polish its sound is precisely what makes it compelling. Coxey’s Army’s character and storytelling ability are truly top-tier. Go into this album with an open mind, with the desire to be told something, and you will find yourself in the middle of one of the most authentic and infectious punk debuts of the year. This is the soundtrack for good friends, cheap whiskey, and a hell of a singalong.
Echo Scale™:★★★★ (4)
