Fear not; neither the unexpected success of The Lone Bellow's 2013 debut album nor the enlistment of The National's Aaron Dessner as producer for the follow-up has affected the trio's vision. The appropriately titled Then Came the Morning feels like the ultimate morning-after album, with its intimate feel, gospel/soul influences, and redemptive vibe. Earthy vocal harmonies are still front and center, and acoustic axes still dominate, as the band's blend of folk, rock, and pop unfurls. Sure, the big beats of the gritty grinder "Cold As It Is" and the dirty guitars on the crunching, bluesy stomper "Heaven Don't Call Me Home" kick things up a bit, but the soft-pedaled, soulful sound that sets the band apart from the neo-folk pack still reigns. - iTunes
