In Music We Trust

With a career that began in the mid-1990s, Portland, Ore.‘s Casey Neill assembles his backing band, The Norway Rats, once again – this time with the full complement of members, to release Goodbye to the Rank and File. His eighth full-length album brims with Neill’s rough-hewn vocals and specific, gritty songwriting. On much of the disc, he and the group – which includes Jenny Conlee of the Decemberists – proffer an alt-country, roots rock sound reminiscent of Neil Young (the somber “When the World Was Young” ) or Born To Run era Springsteen ( “Ouroboros,” “Guttered” ). Little Sue shares lead vocals with Neill on the former, sounding Neko Case-esque on “The Ramble.” The bright rocking “This Year Was a Blur” and graceful “Stonewall” are also standout moments.