Mandolin Orange - Blindfaller
by Carl Bookstein
published: 17 / 10 / 2016

Label:
Yep Roc
Format: CD
intro
Fine, acoustic and soothing songs about heartache on latest album from North Carolina bluegrass duo, Mandolin Orange
North Carolina bluegrass duo Mandolin Orange’s latest album 'Blindfaller' features songs of heartache and the blues in modern times. This is the group’s signature bluegrass meets Americana sound. 'Hey Stranger' is gorgeous and acoustic quiet tones from the get go - mandolin, fiddle and accompaniment. Emily Frantz’s vocal is evocative and soothing with lyrics about trouble in mind - that “there’s no burden greater in this life.” The music meanwhile succeeds in lifting weight right off your shoulders. Andrew Marlin takes the lead vocal on 'Wildfire' This is first rate soul calming bluegrass, with a universal appeal including for indie folk and country rock fans alike. “Civil War came and Civil War went… It should’ve been different/It could’ve been easy.” Marlin’s mandolin shimmers beautifully. 'Picking Up Pieces' speaks eloquently to a broken heart - warm and healing, the acoustic instrumentation hitting just the right note. 'Lonesome Whistle' is seasoned with lyrics about travelling and nothing but your soul to set free. 'Echo' too is poignant Americana - rich and resonant. 'My Blinded Heart' tells of constant sorrow and turning tides with a resonant fiddle and bright chiming mandolin plus lyrics about road weary rambling. 'Hard Travelin’' gets to rocking, possessing some stinging guitar. “Night after night/Show after show..Feeling bad boys/I’m feeling low.” The poignant closer is 'Take This Heart of Gold'. The lyric is sharp: “Take this heart of gold/Melt it down and I’ll come around.” The song speaks to love, once again with its share of heartache - melancholy, yet moving - a tasteful finish to a fine album.
Track Listing:-
1 Hey Stranger2 Wildfire
3 Picking Up Pieces
4 Lonesome Whistle
5 Echo
6 Cold Lover's Waltz
7 My Blinded Heart
8 Hard Travelin'
9 Gospel Shoes
10 Take This Heart of Gold
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/MandolinOrange/https://twitter.com/mandolin_orange
http://www.mandolinorange.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mandolin_orange/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCC-C6TS0MG31NnRJuiCmYQ
https://plus.google.com/106240222318595358723
Label Links:-
http://www.yeproc.com/https://www.facebook.com/yeproc
https://twitter.com/yeproc
reviews |
Tiles of a Teardrop (2019) |
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Excellent sixth album from bluegrass duo Mandolin Orange who create with it a poignant reminiscence of the loss of their songwriter’s mother |
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