Album Review – Running On Credit’s “Searching for the Sound”

Whatever sound this east Texas band is searching for, the certainly found one that makes fast friends with the ears and hearts of true country listeners who love to hear twang in their tunes, and songs inspired from real life. This band’s financial prospects might be shaky according to their name, but their future in music feels bright if they keep kicking out the kind of songs you find on Searching for the Sound.

As you start the record off, the sound immediately endears itself to you, whether it’s the Hank Jr.-esque half-time attitude of the opening track “Who I Am,” or the spot-on steel guitar from Chase Curtis on the song “Long Day Workin’.” But the first half of the record really doesn’t venture too far from the regular, predictable themes of country songs, even if they’re cut from the perspective of singer, frontman, and songwriter Sage Elmore, and his experience growing up on the Cow Bayou in east Texas, not far from the Louisiana border.

Even when the early songs try to say something a little deeper like on the track “Sunday’s Wine,” they still fail to really reach it. “Hit The Bottle” is clever for sure, but not completely original with it’s “bottle hit me back” reply. Nonetheless, you’re still compelled to listen on because the music is so damn good and you feel this band has something bigger they’re aspiring toward than the local honky tonk, garage country circuit.

The sixth song on the album called “AC Man” isn’t especially poetic or cerebral either. But man it sure is lot of fun. And though it’s just another take on the country “workin’ man” song, it’s original in its occupation. Anyone from Texas and the deep south can attest, the AC man might as well be your lord and savior whenever your unit crashes, and you’re at the mercy of the summer elements. There’s a lot of other songwriters out there kicking themselves for not writing this one.

This what leads you to “The Blue,” which finally fulfills your desire for Running On Credit to take their influences of artists like the Turnpike Troubadours and Tyler Childers, and do something with them. You knew singer and songwriter Sage Elmore had it in him, he just needed to get it out. It’s almost like you’re experiencing the maturation of a songwriter in real time as this album unfolds, and similarly the music itself is also willing to be more thoughtful and composed. And like many of their songs, it’s inspired by local geography in a compelling way.

Originally formed in 2019 in the coastal region of east Texas by Sage Elmore, guitarist Nick Wheeler, and bass player Rogelio Menchaca, Running On Credit is joined on Searching for the Sound by Chase Curtis on steel guitar, and Chris Cropper on drums. You can tell this is one of those work all day, pursue your musical dreams at night bands, and that’s what makes them so cool, and gives their songs that dirt under the fingernails feel. There’s no cosplay happening here. They’ve earned these songs, and now they’re looking to earn respect beyond the bayou circuit.

Searching for the Sound is just a starting point. But it’s one that finishes strong, and proves these guys have got what it takes to be heard beyond Texas. Running On Credit and frontman/songwriter Sage Elmore feel like names you bookmark now, and refer back to later when the sound and songs they’re searching for become part of a much bigger conversation.

8/10

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