Railroad Earth

Railroad Earth performs Americana-tinged tunes that are never short on atmospheric touches. Singer-songwriter Todd Sheaffer writes unpretentious, straightforward songs that alternate between laying the beat down with drummer Carey Harmon or seeking a gentler solution from violinist Tim Carbone, mandolin player John Skehan and multi-instrumentalist Andy Goessling. “Long Walk Home” and “Black Elk Speaks” kick it up with the power of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and the ultimate Americana-rockers the Band. “Too Much Information” skirts around a vague New Orleans groove. “Spring-Heeled Jack” dips further into the gumbo. “On the Banks” swings as a sweet, modest ballad that is touching without falling into the trap of over-emoting. “Potter’s Field” evokes another time and place that Sheaffer obviously keeps in mind as he writes about the past with such clear-headed eloquence. Railroad Earth is a band of subtle degrees whose intricate performance skills add great depth to even the simplest of ideas and pack excitement into the most modest of tempos.