Ninth Street Opus

Sarah Lee and Johnny Irion – we hardly knew ya. Yes, of course we knew that Arlo’s daughter and her musician husband are multi-talented, but we didn’t know they’d give us an album that is more alternative rock than folk – and do it so well. Right from the first chords of “Ahead of Myself,” it’s clear that the duo has found the sweet spot for their music. As always, the voices weave a fine tapestry, but the more contemporary alt-country style moves them into another musical category. Consider “Seven Sisters,” which especially allows Sarah Lee to show off her bluesy, R&B vocal artistry or the almost-indie rock-sounding “First Snow,” which relies on keyboards and soft percussion to fill in behind the vocals of this love story. This folk royalty has truly carved its own equally charming path.