The Burnt Pines (Adraela Records, 2021)

The Burnt Pines comfortably fit at the smoother edge always-increasing Americana big tent. With a harmonic vocal style reminiscent of the late-'60s/early-'70s (think Simon & Garfunkel, Donovan) their music is polished in an understated, mostly-acoustic-sounding way. So very appealing to experienced ears.

"Heavy and Young" falls into the loping rhythm of "Mother and Child Reunion," while the following "Song for Rose" contains the sparse, hollow effect of some of that era's Laurel Canyon productions. An album without filler, listeners may make comparisons to The Pines (no relation), The Lumineers and even Mumford & Sons.

Highlights include the mid-set trio of "Mother on the Mountain," "Oh Me, Oh My" and "From Seville to Manhattan," a series of songs revealing the group's versatility and ability to craft light, sunshine pop-influenced Americana. Additionally, "Diamonds" and "On the Burning Bridge" possess qualities that charm, both vocally and instrumentally, while "Only In the Soul" is hauntingly hypnotic.

Built around Kris Skovmand (vocals,) Aaron Flanders (guitars, guitjo,) and Miguel Sa Pessoa (keys), The Burnt Pines have an international flavour (Denmark, Illinoi and Portugal) further enhanced by featured musicians Fernando Huergo (bass,) Luis Barro (drums/percussion,) and Dan Fox (double bass.) The varying backgrounds of the musicians coalesce into a most appealing, companionable blend.

Smooth, "The Burnt Pines" contains lasting qualities whose attraction remains, lingering in the sub-conscious until again heard.