Dusk
Mercury Nashville, 2023
9/10
Nashville’s Boy Named Banjo have come a long way in their 10+ year career, and this major label debut has the quintet exploring their diverse and textured sounds while still being very much rooted to their bluegrass ways.
The warm and poetic “Something ‘Bout A Sunset” opens the listen with Sam McCullough’s muscular drumming complementing the smooth and fluid country rock ideas, and “Heart Attack” follows with Willard Logan’s meticulous guitar and Barton Davies’ chunky banjo that fuels the soaring, rural rock ideas.
Elsewhere, the spirited harmonica from William Reames complements the soulful and anthemic “Young Forever”, while “Mama, I’m Misbehavin’” carries an intimate dreaminess that uses Ford Garrard’s bass superbly.
Residing near the end, “Lonely In This Town”, the album’s best, is full of cozy melodies and a sing-along quality via the band’s rich Americana, and “Opposite Directions” exits with intricate finger picking and heartfelt singing that possesses much beauty.
A fantastic listen that’s full of 3 part harmonies, Laurel Canyon nods and fusion friendly song craft, fans of country, Americana, roots, bluegrass and folk won’t need to look any further to find their new favorite band.
Travels well with: Kitchen Dwellers- Wise River; Kendall Street Company- The Year The Earth Stood Still: Ninurta