The second full-length from Asheville, North Carolina's River Whyless further confuses labels of folk and indie, securing a region of their own that's part folk-rock, part traditional folk, and part artful singer/songwriter commune, sometimes sounding as if Joni Mitchell and Punch Brothers got stranded together in a remote cabin with some decent recording equipment ("One for One," "Bend Time"). The band occasionally wander into relatively poppier territory, as well, on
We All the Light ("Falling Son"), but never forsake their acoustic core. Regardless of tempos or volumes, the full set is marked by creative yet refined arrangements that are by this point a distinguishing characteristic of the group. ~ Marcy Donelson