All the Things That I Did and All the Things That I Didn't Do

A slightly oddball but nevertheless engaging blend of rootsy folk, indie pop, soft psychedelia and alt-country makes this album an ear-grabbing trip worth taking. While Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale apply their signature acoustic guitar picking and exquisite harmony singing on all of the album's dozen tracks, All the Things That I Did… is particularly distinguished by the addition of a full complement of accompanists. The supporting troupe includes Brittany Haas on violin and mandolin, Pat Sansone on piano and Hammond organ, and Russ Pahl on pedal steel and guitars. The instrumental palate also includes bass, drums, clarinet, saxophone and cello.

The aggregate result is an ethereal, atmospheric and often painfully introspective chronicle. The centrepiece is the ten-minute-plus ‘One More for the Road’ featuring an extended instrumental break bracketed by lyrics concerning two lovers lamenting an inevitable parting. ‘Younger Years’ belongs on a Simon & Garfunkel Greatest Hits album, which is to say it's an evocative example of the Milk Carton Kids doing what they do best.