La Fonda
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
The acoustic folk-pop trio The Furious Seasons return with 10 thoughtful and varied new tunes on La Fonda, where contributors Aubrey Richmond brings violin, Edoardo Tancredi handles drums/percussion and Arlan Oscar offer accordion on a record inspired by love and heartbreak.
“As A Matter Of Fact” starts the listen with delicate folk-rock in a bare setting of much beauty, and “Burn Clean” follows with an orchestral angel as sweeping strings enter the cautious atmosphere.
Halfway through, “Slide Into Sadness” offers much grace in a sparse atmosphere, while “Statistically Speaking” benefits greatly from sublime acoustic guitar. “The Vast Divide”, an album highlight, then glides with rootsy melody in the instantly memorable delivery where well done vocal harmonies won’t go unnoticed.
“Your Irish Funeral” and “I Want To Be Sure” bookend the listen, as the former references Jeff Buckley lyrically and also in spirit with graceful song craft, and the latter finishes vocally expressive and introspective.
Jeff Steinhart, Paul Nelson and David Steinhart, i.e. The Furious Seasons, deliver their most personal album to date here, and their very relatable and vivid storytelling helps make La Fonda a standout in an already impressive catalog of folk based sounds.
Travels well with: Lee Gallagher And The Hallelujah- L.A. Yesterday; Ted Russell Kamp- Down In The Den