Cranford Hollow - Color/Sound/Renew/Revive (2017)

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Written by Ed Price, posted by Jason Hillenburg

South Carolina outfit Cranford Hollow, led by vocalist/songwriter John Cranford, has impressed countless listeners and live audiences since their 2011 debut and their evolution from a relatively traditional minded outfit into what they are today is one of the most satisfying artistic paths any band has taken in recent memory. Their latest album Color/Sound/Renew/Revive is an aptly titled effort because it is a collection full of vivid sonic moments refurbishing long-standing traditions and breathing new life into forms and artistic characteristics many erroneously believe to be moribund. John Cranford and his band mates prove there is plenty of creative life left yet in the whiskey and blood, kick out the footlights tradition initially bringing them together and, moreso, the possibilities of the form are far from exhausted. This is essential listening for any lover of Americana music and, moreover, anyone excited by the potential it still holds to touch the human heart.

“Songfield” is an excellent opener. Cranford Hollow is a band who isn’t afraid to tweak your preconceptions about what traditional instruments can do in a modern context and, moreover, use atmospherics to memorable effect. The opener starts with a hint of the epic, even progressive, bleeding in along the edges, but soon settles into a comfortable stop-start groove. “Long Shadows” kicks off with a fiddle and vocal fanfare before settling into another compelling groove. Lead guitarist Yannie Reynecke makes a first class six string partner for John Cranford’s second guitar and their exchanges show a patience of development few guitar tandems exhibit in this genre. The rhythm section is another strong point of this performance, but it’s Eric Reid’s violin work that makes the strongest foil for Reynecke and Cranford’s guitar playing. “Bury It Down” is a much more straight-ahead Americana number than the album’s first two songs and the acoustic guitars ably support Reynecke’s twangy lead guitar touches. Cranford’s vocals are notable here, as elsewhere, thanks to the lyrical content but, predominantly, the blood and gravel delivery that retains immense musicality despite the rough hewn texture.

Cranford Hollow returns listeners to their modern approach with the song “And Your, Brutis”. This has a distinctive, signature touch and has a sturdy radio-ready sound that will win over casual fans and devotees alike. Despite its sleek construction, the song reeks of authenticity and it’s one of the strongest cuts on the album. Drummer Randy Rockolata’s patterns on “North” gives the song a lightly propulsive touch different from many of the album’s other tracks, but it bears the mark of the same current approach fused with the band’s traditional strengths. “Dark Turns”, the album’s sole instrumental, is a bit of a surprise for a couple of reasons. Newcomers may not expect a band with such obvious vocal and lyrical strengths to indulge in such fare and it comes late in the proceedings. It sets up the album’s final track, “Swing”, quite well. The last cut is a surprisingly exultant number, not free of Cranford’s typical lyric concerns, but nonetheless muscular and reaching skyward. Rockolata’s drumming is a key for this song’s success and the guitars play off quite well against his the pace he sets. Color/Sound/Renew/Revive solidifies Cranford Hollow’s standing as one of the best bands working in their field today and shows, five albums in, their creativity and chemistry is far from exhausted.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars