Potions and Poison

The opening track here sets a precedent for the remaining nine original songs on the fourth album by the Colorado-based bluegrass band. ‘Afraid of the Dark’ is the dramatic tale of an irreconcilable relationship told through the prism of a gunfighter's standoff at the not-OK corral. The guitar (Adam Kinghorn), violin (Joe Lessard), bass (Matt Loewen) and mandolin (Sam Parks) propel the lyrical narrative forward with the graceful, rigorous precision of a classical string quartet. Overall, it's a sophisticated take on a bluegrass tune, performed with confident skill and engaging flair.

The remaining tracks follow a similarly persuasive pattern, comprising soulful ballads, rollicking floor-stompers and showcases for harmony singing and instrumental riffing. Recorded at home by engineer Aaron Youngberg, Potions and Poison features appearances by Elephant Revival's Bonnie Paine and Erin Youngberg (Uncle Earl, FY5) on vocals.