Singer/songwriter Ryan Gustafson (a.k.a. The Dead Tongues) follow’s-up 2018’s excellent Unsung Passage with his fourth studio recording Transmigration Blues – an album of lazy country rock with touches of bluegrass, Appalachian folk, gothic country, and psychedelic rock. The latest LP finds him reflecting on his experiences on the road, spirituality, and significant heartbreaks. Although Gustafson has departed from the Western North Carolina century-old cabin in which he resided, he still tapped an illustrious group of Piedmont-based collaborators, including Molly Sarlé (Mountain Man), Amelia Meath (Mountain Man, Sylvan Esso), Alexandra Sauser-Monnig (Mountain Man), Josh Moore (Beloved), and Alex Bingham (Look Homeward), among others. Standout songs include: the ode to the unpredictable of life and opening track “Peaceful Ambassador”; the hobo Gospel cut “Road To Heaven”; the sweeping “Deep Water, Strange Wind”; the nostalgic road song “Bama Boys Circa 2005”; the tender “Equinox Receiver”; the loose front porch style Jam “Nothingness and Everything”; and the beautiful “Song Called Void.” Transmigration Blues by The Dead Tongues finds Ryan Gustafson opening up his haunted soul and life stories to the world via music and song. Gustafson is an underappreciated talent who has released a number of excellent albums and Transmigration Blues finds itself in good company among his other albums. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Phil Cook, Hiss Golden Messenger, Mount Moriah, Jonah Tolchin