Blue’s Mountain Records

The sensual Heavy on the Vine, the third studio CD from the Ryan Montbleau Band, is a poignant collection that finds the fruit of this band’s musical vineyard ripened, easily palatable. Opener “Slippery Road” reveals characters that traverse the line between inebriation and sobriety. The upbeat, energetic ditties ( “I Can’t Wait,” “Here Et Al,” and the roaring ‘20s style “Stay” ) examine the nomadic musicians’ love of performance and the frustrated musings of missing the comforts of home. Amid a rhythmic organ and a gospel chorus, “Fix Your Wings” suggests healing from the damage of broken relationships, while the soulful “Lonesome Serenade” and the elegant, poetic closer “Straw in the Wind” evoke a solemn heartache. Produced by veteran singer songwriter Martin Sexton, this classic blend of soulful neo-folk and poetic Americana will bolster the band’s already burgeoning fan base.