The Pines, Rising at CMJ, Get Strong Reviews from PopMatters and Folk Alley, Hits New CMJ Peak

Posted on Feb 17, 2016
The Pines, Rising at CMJ, Get Strong Reviews from PopMatters and Folk Alley, Hits New CMJ Peak

The four-year wait between The Pines‘ 2012 album Dark So Gold and this year’s Above the Prairie was “more than worth it,” writes PopMatters, because the new LP is both enjoyable to casual listeners and rewarding for those who choose to go deeper into its mediative sonic world. According to the site, the album is “filled with all the trappings of Americana, including acoustic guitars, vocal harmonies and some banjo,” yet it’s “not trapped in Americana clichés. In fact, Above the Prairie sometimes feels like a roots art record; at times you’re asked to consider what Radiohead might sound like if driven by wood and steel rather than ones and zeros.” It’s an intriguing description, and one that goes a long way to explaining the 8/10 rating Popmatters gave to to the album. Read the full review here.

While the album is getting praise for how far it strays from traditional roots music, it’s still hitting all of the right notes with the folkies over at Folk Alley. That site featured a stream of the album before it came out, along with a nice description of the records motives, motifs, and guest musicians. Listen to the album stream while you check it out here.

Above the Prairie is rising at CMJ, landing at #74, and looking for adds at new stations. Get this stunning and moving collection in rotation at your station now.

Listen to Track 1 “Aerial Ocean” below:

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