Good Old War: Broken into Better Shape

Good Old War’s fourth album, recorded in Nashville, Tenn., with producer Jason Lehning—known for his work with Alison Krauss & Union Station and Dolly Parton—is a carefully crafted selection of alt-country-tinged rock songs. They wrote some of the music with outside songwriters, including Emile Haynie, and the experimental effort shows. “Fly Away,” the band’s collaboration with Haynie, is a soaring ballad resonating with a rousing, inspirational chorus, while “Never Gonna See Me Cry” is a lively rock number with a countrified twang. The music feels connected, but still most of the tracks are uniquely wrought—each searching through a varied style of music—which keeps the album feeling fresh throughout. “I’m The One” is a standout, a glossy indie-rock song with plaintive lyrics. Each line, about not wanting to be alone, resonates with expression, revealing that Good Old War’s best quality is their sincerity.