On Tides of a Teardrop, North Carolina duo Mandolin Orange continue with the richer full-band sound found on 2016’s Blindfaller. The band is founding members Andrew Marlin (vocals, guitar, mandolin) and Emily Frantz (vocals, fiddle, guitar) and they are now joined by Josh Oliver (guitars, keyboards, vocals), Clint Mullican (bass, baritone guitar), and Joe Westerlund (drums). Tides of a Teardrop takes on a confessional quality with songs about alcohol abuse, loss, pain, heartache and ordinary life. On the whole their fifth studio release is hushed with simple arrangements, often just two instruments and gorgeous harmonies played in a style that combines elements of country, bluegrass, and folk. Album highlights include: the emotive opening track “Golden Embers”; the heartbreaking “When She’s Feeling Blue”; the twangy “Like You Used To”; the classic country barroom tearjerker “Lonely All The Time”; and the Appalachian influenced “Suspended in Heaven.” Tides of a Teardrop is a captivating, enjoyable listenable and a welcome addition to Mandolin Orange’s discography. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Elephant Revival, I’m With Her, The Lone Bellow, The Stray Birds, Trampled by Turtles