Stranger
Blue Arrow, 2022
9/10
An exceptional singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Ethan Daniel Davidson returns with a 12th album, where his unpredictable formula welcomes plenty of help for the eclectic folk affair.
“Even Bad Seeds” starts the listen with a dense atmosphere of hazy folk-rock that’s got a bit of a post-punk darkness to it, and “My Jail” follows with precisely plucked bass that’s shrouded in mystery amid its cryptic, poetic landscape.
At the midpoint, “Let There Be Light” is a more upbeat, jangly effort, where warmly strummed acoustic guitar reminds us of the early days of folk music, while “My Train Got Lost” lands in intimate balladry, as much emphasis on mood is captured by the gentle guitar, light drums and breathy singing.
Close to the end, the thumping “All The Pretty Little Horses” is a bit more rugged with some psyche-flavor and dreaminess, and “There Was A Famine In The House Of Bread” exits with heartland rock that’s steeped in retro-Americana.
Davidson handles vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, national steel guitar, cat-gut banjo, moog, hammond organ and harmonium with much skill present. He’s joined by Gretchen Gonzales (electric guitar, electric sitar, vocals), Warren Defever (harmonium, tanpura), Joey Mazzola (electric guitar), Jordan Schug (bass guitar), Scott Michalski (drums), Steve Nistor (drums), Pete Ballard (pedal steel), Julie Banjamin Peterhans (vocals) and Kara Meister (vocals). Together, they make for one of the most interesting and memorable quasi-folk listens in recent history.
Travels well with: Colin James- Open Road; Bywater Call- Remain