[rating=7.00]
The success of Wild Feathers’ 2013 self titled debut has clearly had a resonating effect on its bold and confident follow-up, the somewhat tepidly dubbed Lonely Is A Lifetime. But while the title might seem like a misnomer, the reckless jubilation and abandonment that accompanies nearly ever track on the album clearly speaks for itself. The band — guitarist, vocalist Ricky Young, guitarist, vocalist Taylor Burns, bassist. vocalist Joel King and drummer Ben Dumas — exude an unbounded exuberance that rings with every refrain, allowing this bold, boisterous effort to command immediate attention.
Granted, Lonely Is A Lifetime isn’t your typical Americana outing, although their shared reverence for Gram Parsons and the ever-present echoes of pedal steel guitar would seem to suggest that it’s still within their sphere of fascination. On the other hand, producer Jay Joyce embellishes the proceedings with such a radiant studio sheen, the energy sometimes seems unbounded. Many of the songs carry choruses that soar with an absolute anthemic ring, a celebratory sound that affects the album overall. “Happy Again,” suggests that certain giddiness in its title alone, so it’s not surprising that its overly effusive melody more than affirms those intents. The same could be said of songs like “Overnight,” “On My Way,” “Sleepers” and “Hallelujah,” and although the latter shouldn’t be confused with Leonard Cohen’s solemn song of the same name, the reverence and rejoicing evoke a similar sentiment.
Indeed, much of the time Wild Feathers leans more towards modern pop than classic country, and its billowing choruses hardly suit the kind of emotions often expressed by drowning one’s tears in one’s beer. Still, three years on, this is a classic — and classy — comeback, one that affirms the fact that initial outing was far from a fluke. Indeed, given all these additives, there’s no reason to suspect the Wild Feathers won’t continue to soar.