The Flanks - Field Days (Independent) With rave reviews under their belts from The New Yorker, the Brooklyn Vegan and Tommy Ramone, it’s fair to say that this five piece “dirty country” outfit have got the Big Apple sewn up. Although, not natural territory for a roots band, but they get away with it by not sticking too closely to the rules and mixing up their stringband influences with harder, rockier vibes - in particular some tasty Robbie Robertson(esque) guitar licks. Like a lot of their contemporaries they’re probably a lot happier whoopin’ it up on stage than in a studio, but they’re overcome any reservations and delivered a second album of first rate Americana. Most of the band seem to write and sing, so a selection of different styles are represented, but all seem compatible to barroom situations, and most will get at least one foot tappin’. Standouts are littered throughout, but won’t do any harm mentioning the individual delights of “Adelaide”, “Snubnosed Grindstone Cowboy” and “Anna Lee”, as all three can be found struttin’ their bits on the band’s MySpace page: www.myspace.com/theflanks Rob F. Next