A fifth LP, but also the first in a decade by the band from Stillwater, Oklahoma, of multi-instrumentalists Jesse Tabish, Jonathon Mooney and Josh Onstott and co, with impressive, stirring, grandiose, cinematic, dynamic, orchestra-layered indie rock. Most of the album was recorded at The Sheerar, a former church that is now the Stillwater History Museum. “Being back in our home town was, in more ways than one, a sanctuary for us,” reports founding Mooney.There’s a real warmth and richness to their sound, majestic melodies soaring with piano, strings, timpani and brass, from opener Mystic to Some Us Some Love, both as the clear highlights. On the former, there’s also a tangible sense of optimism: “When you’re riding at such a great cost / Well, it occurred to mе that everything was not lost / Ah, if you want to / You might like to givе it a try / Love’s always waiting for you in plain sight”), while on the latter is also filled with hope and encouragement, as well in the music, a grand swell of relief and joy. On What’s It Gonna Take, there’s strong hint of the dark times currently at play, but hope it will also change - the ‘king’ quite possibly referring to a divisive political figure: “Any nеws from the West / See the black clouds congrеgate / Hold steady, let's pray that they're not too late / See, we've been waiting on the king to pass.” Other highlights include the brass-rich instrumental Heading West, and Read My Mind. Good to have them back. Out on Play It Again Sam.
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