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CD Review by Ian Chiclo MOJAVE 3 Excuses For Travellers 4AD · Third from London shoegazers turned country-folkies. Despite coming from a Brit-pop background which included Slowdive and Chapterhouse, Mojave 3 have become the reigning masters of slow and smoky country folk. Their whiskey-soaked 1998 release, Out of Tune, stands out as one of the best records released in the UK over the last five years. The band’s ability to write beautifully simple songs continues on Excuses For Travellers. Neil Halstead’s Nick Drake-meets-Bob Dylan vocals float effortlessly above uncomplicated arrangements augmented by steel guitar and bandmate Rachel Goswell’s angelic vocals. While this album isn’t as strong as Out of Tune, Mojave 3 continue to mesmerize with unassuming philosophies such as "Got my sunshine, I’ll get by," making the band an oasis in a vast musical desert. 4/5

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