Hands And Knees
Soundly, 2020
9/10
A new outfit fronted by the multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter Liam Thomas Bailey, along with Chad Kelly, Judd Fuller and Rohin Khemani, Two Bird Stone offer a very thoughtful sort of Americana where influences from multiple continents make up their charming formula.
The title track starts the listen with Kelly’s accordion and Bailey’s banjo aiding the folk and Americana landscape that benefits much from Sarah Siskind’s pretty pipes, and “Shoebox Money” follows with louder vocals and a jam band quality as group singing and an anthemic approach enters some Celtic nods.
At the halfway point, “When Somebody Can See Your Soul” recruits a quieter setting where expressive vocals and eloquent storytelling are present, while “If you Wanna Come Back” isn’t short on melody alongside graceful musicianship that gets a bit rowdy, too. “The 99”, one of the album’s best, then brings in soothing country influences that unfold sweetly and with much skill.
Closer to the end, “Needle And Thread” uses Bailey’s fiddle strategically in a campfire-esque sort of way where Kenny Vaughn makes a guest appearance on guitar, and “Drive It ‘Til The Wheels Fall Off” finishes the listen with a bare display of organic beauty that truly illustrates the seemingly boundless talent present.
An extremely well done debut, Two Bird Stone are versed in folk, roots, country, rock, bluegrass and Celtic textures, and they use them all in exciting, warm and inviting ways on what just might be the best Americana album of the year.
Travels well with: Gordon Thomas Ward- Eiderdown; Glenn Thomas- Reassure Me There’s A Window