For their newest musical venture "Oddfellows,” the indie band Morningsiders have set even loftier ambitions— that of reviving traditional ballads for modern-day listeners— easier said than done, yet the talented trio has done a marvelous work in paying ode to the roots of Americana with a meticulous job done in instrumentation and songwriting that begets admiration.
Hailing from the musical epicenter that is the Big Apple, Morningsiders has a terrific portfolio to showcase: let's talk for a moment about their expansive musical catalog, which has found its way to millions of listeners. Their 2019 debut album "A Little Lift" scored a breakthrough for them, especially the opening track "Empress" (which was placed on "Viral 50" by Spotify in 2015 previously). It's here one can hear right away the commitment they have to the bluegrass and classic sounds of folk music (it helps further that all three members are accomplished instrumentalists as well), with the buoyant piano chords waltzing over the playful assortment of claps (later garnished with a fiddle and trumpet); the vocals are every bit uplifting, although contrasted by the heartbroken lyricism, providing this rich and detailed signature present through the album and responsible for its major achievements.
For "Oddfellows," the narrative vocals are trademark demarcating the project further: in "Two Sisters," the story revolves around the tragic and fatal betrayal between two siblings (originating in the 17th century). The performance is resonant, bringing to life the poetic songwriting— as for the instrumental, the fiddle is artfully incorporated to accentuate the emotions running high throughout the morbid tale.
Similar narrations follow in other iridescent tunes: "What Will We Do?" flourishes with the melodic guitars rising on elegant strings, and layered vocals finish slightly before for a magnificent coda. "Jubilee" is an Appalachian hymn that gets a lighthearted and romantic spin with its mellow and cheery cadence. Solemn with words but breezy in musicality, "Never Had But One Love" recalls the unbreakable bond of true love, stretching beyond the confines of mortality ("I don't mind if I should die/If with you I could stay/I'd curl up right beside you/Give the world away").
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