The Musical Divide

Since its inception, The Wilder Blue has quickly gone from feeling like an initial Zane Williams side project to something all its own. The band’s tight harmonies – vocally and instrumentally – probably mean they’re best slotted under the jam band category, but in truth, their sound thus far has spanned a vast melting pot of country, southern-rock, bluegrass … and likely one or two other genres. I was a big fan of last year’s self-titled effort for its insane adrenaline rush provided by its high points, even if it was a slightly road-weary effort at its core through darker moments like “Feelin’ the Miles” and “The Kingsnake and the Rattler,” as well.

Newest album Super Natural takes a bit of a different approach as an overall more laidback affair, thanks in part to production credits from Brent Cobb, known for his own slow-rolling melting pot of country, rock, and soul. In a way, it’s a “super natural” fit, but I will admit the heavier reliance on lazy, slow-rolling acoustic country is a bit disappointing, given that this band’s faster, more adrenaline-pumping numbers are so excellent.

Maybe it’s because it starts that way with my favorite moment on record, “Bless My Bones” – a cool story song that turns the typical “band living life on the road” theme into a ghost story, where the constant touring on the road is what makes this band feel alive … but is also what ended up killing them, through a bus crash. It’s sharp, atmospheric, and just excellently paced with the frantic, galloping groove accompanying it, like a need for speed that reflects the actual sentiment quite well.

From there, the album takes an overall simpler approach, both musically and lyrically. There’s still always a sense of adventure in the writing that lends the album an anthemic heart, like in the traveling cowboy tale told through “Ogallala Rail.” And the harmonies and melodies are, as always, tight and incredibly pleasing on the ears. I really enjoyed the great melodic warmth evident on “Never Found You,” a love song with a twist that shows a character thankful for the heartbreak that allowed him to find the path to his new partner. It’s also sung by Paul Eason, whose gruffer delivery adds a nice, magnetic charm and weight of maturity to the sentiment.

As always, it’s a feel-good effort at heart, which does play nicely into the extended jam of the “Seven Bridges Road” cover, as well as the jangly “The Line” with its excellent mandolin and bass interplay. “Roll Betty Roll” is pretty funky in all of its ‘70s-inspired AM wonder, too. The joke interlude told in “Excuse Me” was also pretty cute and unexpected. But I do think it means this album lacks the same weight and punch as the band’s previous one, outside of “Bless My Bones.” And it could very well be a matter of preference, given that I’m not wild about some of the lazier, slow-rolling acoustic based moments here, like the title track.

And given how this album is anchored by a lot of love songs that don’t feature a lot of distinct details to separate themselves much from one another, I’d say the best of the bunch after “Never Found You” is probably “True Companion” for its chipper melody and good pacing. The two closing moments in “Break Even” and “Sometimes Forever” just feel too lacking and muted to connect better: the former featuring some thinly veiled social commentary that lands flat; the latter just feeling too hollow musically and jumbled in its abstract philosophical musings and metaphors to justify how much it drags.

So, while perhaps not as strong or tight as last year’s self-titled effort, The Wilder Blue still deliver a rollicking good time with Super Natural. Bless those bones, indeed.

(7/10)

• Favorite tracks: “Bless My Bones,” “Ogallala Rail,” “Never Found You,” “Seven Bridges Road” (feat. Luke Combs), “The Line”
• Least favorite track: “Break Even”

Stream the album.