United Interests

These United States frontman Jesse Elliott once said that the band’s name expressed his fascination with exploring America. On the group’s aptly self-titled fifth album, Elliott reaffirms his appetite for life and adventure but with an added sense of urgency. These United States, which includes contributions from Deer Tick, Phosphorescent, Ben Sollee and more, features a mix of alt-country, Americana and psychfolk music with guitar hooks and rumbling drums that convey that urgency. Opener “Dead and Gone” is a quick, rousing track, setting the tone for TUS’ most upbeat album. Elliott, fearing that he has “one last lap before we collapse” ( “Maps” ), exudes raw energy as he sings about living life to the fullest. Sometimes the heavy instrumentation and verbose lyrics overcrowd the album, but it’s only because Elliott and his friends “want the world and want it now.”