Across The Divide
Mountain Home, 2022
8/10
The Fireside Collective headed to a cabin in the Smoky Mountains during the pandemic to flesh out this very diverse body of work, where they expand from their bluegrass template to embrace many influences that only enhance the appeal of their craft.
“When You Fall” opens the listen with the melodic string work aligning with the soaring vocals that radiate much warmth, and “Let It Ride” follows with bright storytelling alongside the playful mandolin and carefully plucked bass that helps emit blues nods.
“Not Today” lands in the middle and trims the pace back with intimate singing and graceful piano fueling the country spirited landscape, while “House Into A Home” showcases powerful bluegrass amid the soaring vocal harmonies.
Further still, “Your Song Goes On” doesn’t lack any grooves as the meticulous strings and distinct singing make an indelible impression, and “Rainbow In The Dark” exits the listen with a poetic and emotive quality that illustrates superb chemistry between the quintet.
Led by the singer and mandolinist Jesse Laquinto, the outfit also consists of Joe Cicero (acoustic guitar, vocals), Alex Genova (banjo, vocals), Tommy Maher (dobro, vocals) and Carson White (upright bass, vocals), and together this 4th album showcases all the member’s strengths as the collaborative vision yields flourishing and creative songwriting that we could never tire of.
Travels well with: Lonesome River Band- Heyday; Unspoken Tradition- Imaginary Lines