Langtry is the solo project of Patrick McKinney, who currently plays guitar in Sam Beam's Iron & Wine. And when I say solo, I mean that literally. As Upon The Road Thereto is made up entirely of McKinney's acoustic guitar instrumentals. No overdubs, no guest musicians - just the guitarist weaving a hypnotic web with six strings. As a result, comparisons to the "American primitive" guitar style pioneered by John Fahey are inevitable and apt. But McKinney is no mere imitator. His playing may be steeped in the same country blues familiar to Fahey, but there are touches of Captain Beefheart's Magic Band coursing through as well. It's an impressive piece of work, at times dense and complicated, at others breezily soft and beautiful.

Tyler Wilcox
August 10, 2004