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A wonderfully warm and melodic new album from the core trio of Hannah Marcus, David Grubbs and novelist Rick Moody – rich in its simplicity with acoustic guitars, understated drums, strings and under-production.  Haunting, yet beautiful – the melancholic feel of this album reminds me in many ways of the slower folk ballads of the late ’60’s were delivered.  And in many places, I can hear shades of Pentangle, Fairport Convention, Nick Drake and the Incredible String Band – indeed, the English folk influence cannot be denied.  Of the high points – of which there are many – “Passing Stranger”, “Use As Directed” and “Never Ever Fall” with its Appalachian sound deserve extra special attention.

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About the Author

Rob Ross

Rob Ross has been, for good, bad or indifferent, involved in the music industry for over 30 years - first as guitarist/singer/songwriter with The Punch Line, then as freelance journalist, producer and manager to working for independent and major record labels. He resides in Staten Island, New York with his wife and cats; he works out a lot, reads voraciously, loves Big Star and his orange Gretsch. Doesn't that make him neat?

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