Don’t Miss This One

Splitting their base of operations between Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, BC, Shoebox Letters have built an impressive catalog thus far. Their music encapsulates a tidy penchant for Americana and bluegrass, all delivered with an ernest appeal that recalls the pioneers of the initial country rock crossover — the Byrds, the Burrito Brothers, and Poco among them.

The tellingly-titled The Road Not Taken, a rapid follow-up to this year’s earlier offering, Buckle Up, notches up another worthy addition to their resume, bringing with it the same instant appeal. Like the nine (!) albums that preceded it, it’s boasts a combination of easy, amiable melodies bolstered by close-knit harmonies and swaying steel guitar. All this boosts steadfast, assertive songs that affirm their confidence and craft.

As always, Shoebox Letters express an unabashed honesty and enthusiasm that suggests open prairies, majestic mountain ranges, and intimate back porch gatherings. That said, the sound varies from a rousingly defiant narrative about break ups and heartbreak on “Focus on my Drinking” (“I’m going to focus on my drinking/Stop this ship from sinking/Move on down the highway”) to mournful balladry on “Whiskey.” The latter is a lovesick lament that recounts the pleasure of drowning one’s sorrows, one tear at a time.

There are plenty of other highlights as well — the assertive “Swinging Door,” the sweetly supple “I Don’t Feel Anything,” and the rich but remorseful “Unraveling.” If this album had come from a better known band it would likely be hailed as a masterpiece. As it is, The Road Not Taken ought not to be missed.