Roots

Blue Mountain’s version of alt-country already feels pretty retro, so an entire album detailing their “roots” seems a little unnecessary. And perhaps it is, but that doesn’t render this collection of traditional folk and blues impotent. In fact, these songs are rife with power and grace. At times though, the authenticity feels a little lacking. Dusty versions of “Spring of ’65” and “Rye Whiskey” try too hard to sound timeless and instead come off like the work of a mildly-inspired cover band coughing up requests from the old-timers at the bar. Somewhat ironically, the best tracks here twist and tweak the original versions away from their roots. The Irish take on “Banks of the Ponchartrain” feels ill-suited on first listen but eventually proves refreshing, while Cary Hudson’s Neil Young–style guitar writhing injects some serious fire into “Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair.” In the end, the Mississippi trio sketch a decent map of the crossroads where British folk songs and their Appalachian cousins meet the Delta blues. Unfortunately, they don’t chart much new territory from there.