Let The World In
Self-Released, 2025
9/10
The multi-instrumentalist John Mailander brings his fiddle, keys and electronics to these 8 spiritual songs that embrace jazz, bluegrass and jam band sensibilities.
The busy, ambient opener, “(open)” leads right into the warm fiddle of “Let The World In”, where Mark Raudabaugh’s thumping drums won’t go unnoticed.
Further along, the breezy climate of “Chapters” makes great use of Jake Stargel’s cozy acoustic guitar amid the rich fiddle, while “Heartland” benefits much from Chris Lippincott’s hazy pedal steel and the mature piano for the album’s best.
Arriving close to the end, the 9+ minutes of “Road” blends Ethan Jodziewicz’s strategic bass, the atmospheric electronics and David Williford’s atypical clarinet with a jam band appeal, and “(reprise)” exits with a solo piano performance of sublime intimacy and grace.
A truly unique effort, Mailander and his friends make for an introspective and sometimes improvisational version of Americana and jam band ideas that are as original as they are memorable.
Travels well with: Greg Copeland- Empire State; Alan Walker- A Little Too Late