Unravel
Dark Shadow, 2025
9/10
The Henhouse Prowlers, i.e. Ben Wright, Jon Goldfine, Chris Dollar and Jake Howard, have been bringing their bluegrass across the globe for over 20 years, and these 12 new songs see the Chicago quartet in fine form.
“Look Up To The Sky” starts with Howard’s swirling mandolin alongside Dollar’s soaring pipes in the quick climate, and “Palomino” follows with softness, where Dollar’s warm guitar suits the cautious vocal harmonies.
Moving into the middle, “Too Little, Too Late” tugs on the heartstrings with its emotive presence thanks to Dollar’s eloquent pipes and Wright’s sensitive banjo, while “Three Seasons” blends the banjo, guitar and mandolin with much melody, as Goldfine’s precise bass makes an impression.
Landing close to the end, ‘Honey Will You Be Mine”, one of the album’s best, allows for Goldfine’s expressive voice to shine amid the flowing strings and invites singing-along, and “Land Of Confusion” exits with a playful bluegrass spin on the Genesis hit, where all 4 members sing.
A record with no lack of picking, plucking and solos, Henhouse Prowlers know their way around a bluegrass song you won’t soon forget.
Travels well with: Rick Faris- Life’s Parade; Damn Tall Buildings- Sleeping Dogs