Driving Folk-Rock - Hailing from Portland, TB&TB mix their heavy percussion with gypsy vocals to create a folk album with a bit of edge to it. Their subtle instrumental additions do a superb job of accenting the well-written lyrics, adding a different flavor to each track. Percussion definitely takes center stage on this album, so watch your levels. Think a cross between Country Joe and The Decemberists, but more driving. No FCC’s.
My picks: I really like e’rything, but try 2, 3, 8 & 9.

1) *Mid. (5:35) Soft acoustic intro, drums build slowly, really kicks in at halfway and builds energy. Great pairing of organ, guitar, and fast percussion.
2) **Mid. (4:00) Strong heal-stompin’ drum beat drives this song. Sweet organ solo near the end.
3) **Fast-mid. (2:48) Great transition from acoustic/keyboard intro to driving melody. Think of it as a rock cover of a sea shanty.
4) Mid. (3:53) Stop-time instrumentals, change-ups of tempo throughout song.
5) Mid. (4:37) Though vocals seem a bit mismatched at times to melody, the performance on the chorus makes up for it.
6) Slow-mid. (4:09) Softer acoustic feel, vocals not quite on par with rest of album, but clearly a well-written track.
7) *Fast-mid. (3:52) More urgency behind these vocals makes for a stronger piece, violin and bouzouki provide a cool presence and really neat interlude in middle of song.
8) **Fast-mid. (3:45) Really clever positioning of vocals a half-beat slower than instrumentals, even throughout tempo changes.
9) **Slow-mid. (5:31) Slide guitar and piano gives an eerie feel. Building suspense is never resolved
10) *Slow-mid. (1:23) Industrial hall sound with lingering vocals. Abrupt end.
11) Mid. (5:27) More complex of a song makes for denser instrumentals and great intertwining vocal harmonies. Nice instrumental solo in second half.
12) *Mid. (4:06) Starts like an indie gospel choir with organ, moves towards country rock a bit.