Review
Once upon a time, in the wild expanses near Boulder, Colorado, a humble storyteller named Gregory Alan Isakov found his muse amidst the whispers of barn boards and rustling fields. In the sanctuary of his barn-turned-studio, he spun from his imagination and talent a treasure named "Appaloosa Bones." Released in 2023, this collection drifts tenderly back to Isakov's roots, offering a more stripped-back, intimate experience following the success of his Grammy-nominated "Evening Machines."
The spirit of the album shines with 11 tracks full of lush, but organic harmonies, weaving threadbare whispers of guitar, banjo, piano, and keys. Benton a heady mix by clever hands—many belonging to Isakov himself—it thrums with genuine emotion. While intent on simply and honest production, the album resonates with silvery complexity that envelops listeners in a cozy, homespun embrace.
Across its near 40-minute journey, "Appaloosa Bones" displays a neatly tailored suit of stripped arrangements, each seam echoing spontaneity and seasoned hard-travelled tales. This isn’t just a nod back to the echoes of "That Sea, the Gambler;" it carries its own graceful identity, nurturing listeners in the gentlest of crescendos. Though the tunes may not leap from memory at first brush, they stitch themselves into the heart with repeated listenings, rewarding patient souls with ever-unfolding layers. As the critters of Metacritic bestow it an esteemed score of 80, this heartfelt creation songs the genuine timbre of Isakov's sage heart. - Ciara
