On The Northline
Loose, 2024
9/10
The Michigan indie-folk trio Frontier Ruckus return with a 6th album, where plenty of intimacy radiates via the tracking to a tape machine process.
The rich and punchy “Swore I Had A Friend” begins the listen with David W. Jones’ skilled banjo and guest Connor Dodson’s thumping drums making for a distinct version of folk sounds, and “Everywhere But Beside You” follows with Matthew Milia’s inimitable vocals amid flowing melodies and a crisp delivery.
Moving towards the middle, “Mercury Sable” embraces vivid storytelling, where textured songwriting is both lush and dreamy, while “In The Money” benefits much from Milia’s warm acoustic guitar and hushed singing that emits much beauty.
Coasting in near the end, the chunky banjo and Evan Eklund’s bouncy bass suit the soft brass from Zachary Nichols on “The Machines Of Summer”, and “Wherefore” exits with a dynamic and meticulous instrumental that recruits Pete Ballard’s pedal steel.
A truly unique outfit who flirt with orchestral, bluegrass, pop and a variation of folk-rock that you’re not going to hear anywhere else, whether this is your first taste of Frontier Ruckus of you’ve been around for awhile, you’re going to be impressed.
Travels well with: David Wax Museum- You Must Change Your Life; David Dondero- The Filter Bubble Blues