Shoebox Letters Sheds Tasty Tears

Portland Oregon’s Shoebox Letters has been carefully plying their craft over the course of a dozen albums, offering a style of authentic Americana that’s embedded in a homegrown sound. However, while they’ve been known to tap tradition, their new album, Tears for 2, marks a decided return to the more polished approach that marked their earliest efforts. It’s a clear departure from the stripped-down sound that defined their last album, Love Sick Town, but it still retains the core of their rootsy regimen. Far from abandoning those rustic roots, they actually embellish their efforts by according the songs fuller arrangements that offers a more immediate impression. Still, there’s essential emotion in each of its offerings, along with a rollicking delivery. The tone is set by the rousing “Done Drinkin’,” and is then carried forward by the celebratory shout-out within “4 Way Stop” and the upbeat and infectious songs that follow, “Alone Not Lonely” and “Any Old Heart.” Consequently, Tears for 2 belies its title, as evidenced by its sing-along choruses, irrepressible melodies and resilient refrains. By this time it’s clear, Shoebox Letters are a consistent quality brand. And that in itself is something to write home about.