The Light We Bring
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
The Colorado string outfit Trout Steak Revival never disappoint, and this 5th album continues their esteemed songwriting prowess through themes of love, death and change, as their glorious melodies and complemented with woodwinds, brass and strings.
“Through The Pines” starts the album with acoustic guitars and banjos together in the soaring and eloquent bluegrass influenced opening, and “Arrows In The Dark” follows with gorgeous vocal harmonies amid the rural sounds and warm rhythm.
In the middle, “Loretta” takes on folk qualities in the precise delivery, while “Only A Moment” recruits pretty female vocals in the softer moment of subdued, ballad like tranquility. “How To Make Love Stay”, one of the album’s best, then moves swiftly yet cautiously with dynamic instrumentation that illustrates profound skill.
At the end, “Home” displays acrobatic picking in the radiant setting, and “The Way It Moves” ends the listen gentle, reflective and with another appearance of female singing that really adds much to the entire album.
Though at their onset Trout Steak Revival were certainly a bluegrass focused affair, these days folk, roots, Americana and indie-rock sensibilities are in attendance, as the quartet keep getting more and more creative with their banjo, violin, bass and guitar formula that few, if anyone, could replicate.
Travels well with: Elephant Revival- Sands Of Now; Balsam Range- The Gospel Collection