Slow and Shirley

It’s not that this Boulder,Colo.-based trio-turned-quartet didn’t let loose before, but after a two-year hiatus, some things have changed – consider Americana as the proof. Lead singer Jacob Sproul has traded in his bass to become second guitar, while adding bassist Jimmy Stofer to take over his duties. The switch makes all the difference. The best examples of the new lineup’s power are the aggressive dual guitars that explode right from the opening title track and race throughout the majority of Americana. There’s another side here as well: the song “Psychoanalyst” shows another kind of blueprint. It’s a much tidier track, perhaps too poppy for some, yet undeniably a product of skilled songwriting. Bigger may not always be better, but in this case it clearly is.