“Alpine Star” (2019) – William Tyler * Written by William Tyler * Produced by Tucker Martine and Bradley Cook * LP: Goes West * Label: Merge
Nashville’s William Tyler specializes in sync-ready acoustic guitar instrumentals with full band arrangements, reminding us of how solo guitarists like Leo Kottke also made records that would startle us when the first bass drum got kicked. The neo-Fahey pedigree (Tyler’s first album appeared on the Tompkins Square label) and the album art dare you to even consider considering it library music. The opening track’s central hook is the same one used by the (Bay City) Rollers’ “Elevator,” the title track from an album released the same year Tyler was born. This is likely a coincidence.