Review: Ashleigh Flynn & the Riveters: 'Good Morning, Sunshine'

Portland-based Ashleigh Flynn & the Riveters first came to my attention back in 2018 with their self-titled debut album, a honky tonk rocker that showed a band on the rise. But while they've spent plenty of time gigging around the country supporting the likes of Todd Snider and The Wood Brothers and at festivals like Bonnaroo and Delfest, they haven't released a studio album since that time, with only a 2020 live record to scratch their fans itches. That ends on April 4 when the band releases Good Morning, Sunshine.

Everything you'd expect from Ashleigh Flynn & the Riveters is still here with some musical growth from that 2018 debut. A lot is going on instrumentally on Good Morning, Sunshine, with guitar, fiddle, and harmonica trading solos back and forth seamlessly, especially on the album's standout opening track, “Drunk in Ojai.” Every country band needs a good drinking song, especially if an audience can sing along to it, and “Drunk in Ojai” covers all bases. The story of a post-show margarita “on the house” that turned into a blackout night features a Nancy Luca guitar/ Kat Fountain harmonica duel that will highlight the band's live show for years to come.

Showing off their honky tonk side is “Deep River Hollow,” a ready-made barn dancer. “Place your hand upon my hips / and turn me while the record skips” Flynn drawls ahead of another MVP performance by Fountain on the harmonica. “Shake the Stranger” is another song that sounds right at home in a beer-soaked barroom with a little stage in the corner. Here fiddler Kathryn Claire gets her due with a solo of her own.

The band gets topical on “Tilly Jane Ridge,” another fiddle-heavy tune. Decrying both the destruction of the environment (will we ever learn / Mother Nature burns / we who shall be spurned) and the current political environment (spending all their money on hats and flags / while the liar in chief rips off all their cash). But there's a hint of optimism as well (the future is ours / yet to be written).

Outside of “Drunk in Ojai,” guitarist (and also album producer) Nancy Luca gets her best chance to shine on the rockabilly-leaning “Little Red Wing.” With a Carl Perkins-worthy solo at the song's core, it's a reminder that, while Ashleigh Flynn might get first billing (and rightly so as the band's primary songwriter), The Riveters are a backing band to be reckoned with, doing some impressive heavy lifting on Good Morning, Sunshine.

There's plenty more on offer throughout Good Morning, Sunshine. “Eye on the Light” is a rolling love song. The album's title track is a Southern rocker with a West Coast flair. “Love is an Ember” is the album's ballad, with a steel guitar crying its tears.

Clocking in at an economical 37 minutes, Good Morning, Sunshine nonetheless brings everything you'd want in an Ashleigh Flynn & the Riveters album. It was a long time to wait for a new album, but one that proved worthwhile.