The Wild Feathers Soar with their Second Album

There’s an understandably unabashed enthusiasm that surrounds any band that’s made a smashing debut, one that’s not only garnered the nods of the critics but also the devotion of its newfound fans. Wild Feathers achieved all that and more with their 2013 eponymous debut, and their eagerness to build on that success is clearly evident on their follow-up, Lonely Is A Lifetime. Granted, the title might seem a misnomer, as does a lyric like “Stole some marijuana and some pain pills … talking to myself because I can’t talk to you” (from “Goodbye Song”). Regardless, the sheer jubilation that accompanies nearly ever track on this album clearly speaks for itself. Their confidence is clear, and if the band — Ricky Young (guitar, vocals), Taylor Burns (guitar, vocals), Joel King (bass, vocals), and Ben Dumas (drums) — hasn’t already exuded that from every pore, by the end of this album they’re showing it in spades. 

Happily though, the near unanimous nods bestowed on them by the tastemakers and those in late-night TV combined to make this moment feel right. Granted, any band that avows a reverence for that original Cosmic Cowboy Gram Parsons had better have all their chops all in sync (They were so enamoured that they opted to celebrate what would have been Parsons’ birthday by making a pilgrimage to the Joshua Tree Hotel and renting the room where he spent his final hours), but Wild Feathers would seem ready to soar regardless. And here they do indeed.

In truth, Lonely Is A Lifetime isn’t your typical Americana outing. Producer Jay Joyce embellishes the proceedings with a radiant studio sheen, reaping a barely contained mix of energy and exuberance. The choruses boast an anthemic ring, making for a celebratory sound that can barely be contained. “Happy Again,” suggests that in its title, but the effusive melody wholly affirms every intent. The same could be said of songs like “Overnight,” “On My Way,” “Sleepers” and “Hallelujah.” The latter ought not be confused with Leonard Cohen’s song of the same name, although it’s fairly clear that even so, the sentiments are the same. 

While there are times when Wild Feathers seem to lean more towards Coldplay than country– most especially when it comes to those billowing refrains — they exude enough enthusiasm and abject authority to make it all gel regardless. An album for the ages? Let’s not go that far. However in terms of creating an undeniably impressive sophomore set, credit the Wild Feathers with realizing their colorful and creative designs.