Former Meneguar and Woods member Christian DeRoeck settles for classic alternative country tunes on the debut album of his new project, Little Gold. “On the Knife” adds to the endless list of outsider lore as the album was apparently conceived when DeRoeck was working as a carpenter in Eastern Long Island. It’s not a solo recording, however, as DeRoeck has teamed up with Dylan Edrich and two other musicians to add viola, violin, lap steel, accordion among other instruments. Album opener “Secret Handshake” is a delightful blend of country and alternative rock, not without an edge, but not totally mind-melting either. It reminds me of mid-career Lemonheads (think “It’s a Shame About Ray”) but unlike Evan Dando’s hazardous exercises in bliss I don’t think that Little Gold will change my life. It’s the kind of music that you’re taking to instantly – but which you’ll find hard to point out later. And the kind of music that sounds as if it was made for 19-year-olds but always only attracts people that are twice that age. As it is, all of the eight tracks should make for good post-barbeque listening on porches and balconies. 7/10 -- Jan-Arne Sohns (21 April, 2010)