The Rounder Circle – “California Bound”
-Everything about this song feels just right to me, from the expressive guitar to the mandolin highlights and the expressive lead vocal. There’s a soft sincerity in the lyrical message about the hope of moving to California. The line about the “cotton candy skies” reminds me of the historical promises of people moving out west, hopes that somewhere “out there” would be the fulfillment of dreams. Once the chorus hits, the fiddle gives some additional bounce to the sound. The vocal harmonies on the chorus really give it that bluegrass group style. The whole composition feels deeply American, with historic undertones and a timeless energy that’s sure to appeal to a lot of traditional bluegrass and Americana fans.
Mason Via – “See It While You Can (National Parks Song)”
-If Woody Guthrie were alive today, this is the kind of music he would write. It’s socially conscious, showing a heart of lament for the world, and an almost sardonic attention to how we should live. The musical composition itself feels like it could have come off of a Ralph Stanley record. The vocal from Mason Via has a sincerity to it that makes the listener believe every line. The writing, though, is the star of the show here. It’s about taking time to appreciate natural beauty before humans completely destroy it all. This is an interesting reminder that country music (and its cousins) have always been rooted in a love of the land and against the exploitative class. If I had super powers, I’d make a song like this go many times platinum. This is a wonderful and important song; please share this wisely.
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