Coming three years after the interesting (if unsuccessful) iDEoLA experiment,
Mark Heard returns with a rich, rootsy album full of intelligent lyrics and well-layered music. Styles range from folk to Appalachian to zydeco. And all of these diverse styles are augmented by the Chapman stick of Fergus Jemison Marsh, more widely known for his work with
Bruce Cockburn. The sounds of the more traditional instruments really color this record well -- the accordion, the mandolin, the violin, the hammered dulcimer -- rich instrumental painting and texture. The album has an energetic opening with "Rise From the Ruins" and the title track, and there's lots of clever wordplay on "Our Restless Hearts." The high point on this record is one of
Heard's prettiest songs, "Strong Hand of Love." The trilogy of this album,
Second Hand, and Satellite Sky comprise
Heard's strongest work. ~ Mark W. B. Allender