Album Review: Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes – The Mountain
2 min read
Since their debut 2009 album Ballad Of A Young Married Man, Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes have been a strong folk/alternative country outfit. Lachlan Bryan is the songwriting force behind the group, and for their brand new album The Mountain his lyrics reflect a long uphill journey, with this being his most personal themed collection of songs to date.
Opener Afraid Of The Light (co-written with Kim Richey) already sees the record embark on its emotional journey, with its soft country strum and touching lyrics. “There are mountains that you talk about, and mountains that you climb.” Slow jam I Don’t Make The Rules brings together melodic keys and modest brass: it’s definitely one for wine in front of the fire.
The way that the strings are incorporated into tracks like Dudgemona and Traveling Companion is really gripping. The ballads are also noteworthy, Fool For Love is a very down to Earth tune that you can’t help but relate to; closing tracks The View From The Bridge and Till We Meet Again ends the album on a lighter note.
Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes have got their ability to story tell down: The Mountain is as autobiographical as it is relatable. You can definitely hear where the two worlds of folk and country collide, and though it’s very hard to determine which genre to place this album in, you’ll have more fun listening to it than trying to place it. A very decent second installment indeed, The Mountain continues the story of Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes with grace.
