[rating=6.00]
For starters, the fifth album from Portland’s Horse Feathers was recorded in a combination of studio and…barn. Surely, it is a departure from previous work; Horse Feathers lead Justin Ringle was hoping to move away from his previously darker music, and in this iteration of Horse Feathers, feels he has. In the ears of this reviewer, he’s succeeded – but not necessarily met the upstanding quality previously represented by the Horse Feathers name.
To be clear, So It Is With Us is a solid album and very worth listening to, perhaps even putting on your mobile device of choice for times when you just want something comforting, familiar and easy. It doesn’t break new ground, but if playing in the background at the next gathering of your dearest friends, well, it’d probably feel just right. The vocals, while a bit on the airy side, are sincere and compelling, while the accompanying instruments are varied, solidly played, and well produced. This author wants to watch these folks play a show in the aforementioned barn, drinking whisky and happy that all is generally right in the world.
Nothing on So It Is With Us particularly stands out, bar perhaps the third, piano-led and banjo-driven track, “Dead End Thanks.” Upbeat and driving, this song could accompany any happy gathering of friends, sharing food and discussing topics of the day. In fact, in listening to the album, it’s the songs in which banjo is allowed to peak through (including “Middle Testament”) that Horse Feathers appears their best on this album.
