Carl Broemel's solo follow-up to 2010's All Birds Say arrives after a six-year interim that included two albums with the guitarist's band My Morning Jacket, as well as several guest spots on albums such as Beck's Song Reader and Neko Case's
The Worse Things Get… Relaxed and reflective,
4th of July provides a fine soundtrack for the lazy days of summer, with more than just the ten-minute title track referencing the American holiday. Elegant steel and acoustic guitar set the tone for the album, though there are plenty of other contributors, including organ, drums, and well-curated pedal effects. ~ Marcy Donelson