Sol Driven Train takes big strides with new album

Joel Timmons' 1996 Toyota Corolla has stories to tell. Beyond the Guadalupe Mountains in Texas, the Great Divide and the Hollywood hills that he sings about in the song "My Corolla," the metallic-colored jalopy has visited Tijuana, even making its way home across dirt roads in New Mexico's Dragon's Teeth region.

But even that road warrior has nothing on Timmons' band, Sol Driven Train. The Charleston stalwarts have been exciting Lowcountry fans with their funky blend of horn-driven reggae, rock and Americana for more than a decade.

Still, many here don't realize the band's popularity across the nation. The five-piece ensemble relentlessly tours from Colorado to the northeast and back home, building faithful audiences in towns and cities across America.

As the band members grow into their 30s, however, they've polished both their live and studio arrangements to new levels of professionalism. This Friday, they release "Believe," their strongest and most cohesive effort to date.

Recorded at Hillcreek Studios in Candler, N.C., and Awendaw Green, the album's 14 tracks spin tales of heartbreak, loss and hope, weaving a narrative around the inevitable trials and joys of maintaining relationships while out on the road nearly three weeks of every month.

Despite the challenges of recording and touring without record label support, it only takes witnessing a moment of a Sol Driven Train concert to understand that each member is amazingly committed and in love with the band.

"It's a sentimental thing, more than a business or an art. It's friendships that take maintenance, like anything," says Timmons, reflecting on how the group stays focused and always looking forward. "It's also just continuing to be creative and write songs, incorporating new material into the set and always challenging ourselves to put on a better live show. That's what keeps us going; and the reaction from people who come out."

Mixed at Charleston Sound studios, the laid-back atmosphere on "Believe" should appeal to listeners of all tastes. The album formally introduces drummer and percussionist Wes Powers, who joined the group last year after Phil Eason left to enroll in seminary and focus on his family.

Eason still contributed "Stevie Song #3" to the disc, an accordion-driven number with hints of a Louisiana street party.

Bassist Rusty Cole wrote a rock-before-you-roll track, "Revolver," while guitarist/trombonist Ward Buckheister penned two numbers, including the emotional "Beasy Song."

Throughout the album, saxophonist Russell Clarke adds the band's integral ingredient with his effortlessly soaring saxophone.

For Friday's CD release, the band plans to employ their talented friends who contribute to the album, including trumpeter Cameron Harder-Handel and percussionist/keyboardist Jeff Handel.

Watch for Cary Ann Hearst and Danielle Howle as well, both of whom sing harmonies on "Believe."

With scores of shows to polish their original tunes, Sol Driven Train already has a batch of songs ready for the next album. For 2010, however, "Believe" may just be the fuel this group of feel-good optimists needs to grow their dancing troops even further across the country.

Timmons talked with Charleston Scene from behind the wheel of his Corolla, which was pushing 238,792 miles on the odometer by the conversation's end. For the seasoned musical veteran, it's another mile, another song.