Spain’s Marco Fernández has created a solid and entertaining collection of songs on his “Scarecrows on Parade” full length. Marco and his cohorts specialize in loungey (sometimes spooky) saloon rock. The songs are more focused on melody than grim americana, making them more kin to The Doors than Nick Cave and they’re less grizzled than the Flaming Stars.

Thematically Fernández relies on the classics: women, frustration, cannibals, revenge (track four “Apple Gone Sour”) and drinking. The last topic clearly lies close to his heart as illustrated by the lyrics “I Like Whiskey more than I Like My Girl”. If you find common ground with that sentiment you’re bound to enjoy this CD.

I’m definitely going with the album’s second track, “Bedlam Blues” as my favorite. But I’m a sucker for songs about marching down to hell.