Dear Friend
Self-Released, 2023
9/10
The husband and wife duo of Sarah Frank and Luke Fraser, as The Bombadils the pair bring classical, jazz, bluegrass, and Celtic music ideas to these heartfelt and stirring 11 songs that welcome appearances from Ethan Jodziewicz (Milk Carton Kids, Sierra Hull) on bass, Kaitlyn Raitz on cello, and fiddler Ben Plotnick (The Fretless).
“Bicycle” starts the listen with warm, expressive vocal harmonies amid the pretty strings and dreamy song craft, and “Tell Me I’m Not Dreaming” follows with a mesmerizing spirit of elegant and poetic sounds that are immediately absorbing.
“Heartbeat” arrives in the middle, and showcases Sarah’s gorgeous pipes in the cautious climate of folk friendly songwriting, while “Records And Rent” emits a bouncy and playful demeanor that’s steeped in timeless bluegrass sensibilities.
Closer to the end, “Little Days” offers a lush and intimate conversation about being a parent, and “Dear Friend” exits with a hushed and eloquent finish of lovely, emotive storytelling.
This is the duo’s 4th album and first since a move to Atlantic Canada and tackling parenthood, and it unfolds like love letters to friends, families, cities, strangers and landscapes, and just might be the best folk fueled listen this year.
Travels well with: Zach & Maggie- The Elephant In The Room; The Great Divide- Continental