In his 2nd release, Godwin amps it up with a country band that gives Charlie Daniels a run for his money. Still, even with all the wattage, this coal miner's son stays true to his Appalachian roots telling exquisite, mostly southern gothic, tales of the hollar. Whether he's singing about an antebellum era love triangle (9) or mini-opera about saving one's farm (6-8), the authenticity in his vocals hits you like a gut punch. The theme is deftly complimented by a rock solid band that echos the feel of the Smoky Mountains even when running full tilt. This craft is best demonstrated in 8 which is the the country equivalent of Brian Wilson's classic, Good Vibrations. Play anything it is all bleepin' fantastic.

RIYL: Nathaniel Rateliff, James McMurtry, Steve Earle, Charlie Daniels Band

1 Over Yonder - acoustic, old timey hollar vibe with great slide & fiddle (slow, 3:50)***
2 Lyin' Low - ode to the Appalachian experience about father giving up wild ways to provide for family with nice fiddle (med, 4:19)**
3 Jesse - slow start mystically builds with banjo, slide & fiddle (med, 3:48)***
4 Temporary Town - return to hollar from midwest to find one's roots with piano break (med, 4:03)**
5 Needle Fall Down - acoustic blues tale of a man on the edge of suicide with bone chilling plaintive vocals (slow, 3:15)***
6 Strong - band rocks it in tale of debts, dues and perseverance (fast, 4:32)**
7 Bones - powerful rocker ala CDB about loss of a son (fast, 4:35)*
8 Gas Well - classic banker vs farmer fight with Mariachi horns & signature shifts (fast, 4:45)****
9 Cranes of Potter - acoustic, enchanting antebellum era love triangle ends with woman's murder (slow, 4:23)*
10 Blood Feud - full bore country rocker, revenge for a brother's death (fast, 4:03)
11 Lost Without You - acoustic, tale of love lost with tearful fiddle & cello (slow, 3:39)**
12 How the Mighty Fall - story of a once powerful woman dealing with her decline (med, 4:14)*