Despite the incorrect or American spelling, Ebba Bergkvist and the Flat Tire Band are (mainly) Swedish and consist of guitarist, singer Ebba Bergkvist, bassist Björn Björnehult Korning, drummer Adam Randolph and Finnish guitarist Jonas Skeppar. They first came to my attention with the bluesy, rocky 2020 release Spilt Milk and having enjoyed their inventive reading of modern blues, I was looking forward to their new album called Four Wings. Fortunately, it doesn’t disappoint, with ten varied blues-based tracks that capitalise on Ebba’s voice and soul as well as a very proficient band supplying rock-solid backing and riffing combined with a genuine feel for the songs.
It’s hard to pick highlights from such a solid, well-crafted album but I’ll try. Let’s start with the title track, as the restrained riff allows Ebba’s sweet vocals to soar and the band get to show their mettle too. After the gentle middle, we get a guitar solo that knows how many notes are necessary and keeps it varied with bends, runs and some neat wah-wah. Rootsy blues come to the fore on the slinky ‘Seasick’ which may be coincidentally Steve-like on the slide guitar.
Folk colours mix with blues on the acoustic loveliness of ‘Backslide.’ Although it takes a while, the broody ‘Black Horses’ has a fascinating structure and is worth its seven-and-a-half minutes. The closing song, ‘Eastern Prairies’ is a sort of country blues ballad that, with Ebba’s multi-tracked vocals, gives it that modern country sheen without losing the rootsy… roots.
Ten tracks and not a duff one among ‘em, so if you like your blues varied and or flavoured with complimentary genres, performed by a skilful band and a vocalist you will fall in love with… then what are you waiting for?
Four Wings is out now
 Swedish and consist of guitarist, singer Ebba Bergkvist, bassist Björn Björnehult Korning, drummer Adam Randolph and Finnish guitarist Jonas Skeppar.){kind=link}