In 2023, Fox and Bones won first place at the Tucson Folk Festival songwriting contest. Now releasing their first LP since that win, you might have preconceived notions of what they would sound like but Long Time Honey isn’t exactly Bob Dylan. Heck, it’s not even Mumford & Sons.
Opening track, “All On Red” features driving drums, male/female harmonies, and a big arena-sized chorus. It is Americana rock with emphasis on rock. Reminiscent of heartland rock like Bruce Springsteen or John Melancamp, the duo sings about roads and dreams, the most Americana subject matter possible.
The album’s second track “House By the River” follows roughly the same pattern but with a little more of an 80s vibe. The big 80s drum sound and the addition of synths gives the track a War on Drugs feel. The very Americana subjects don’t really change until the album single “Digital Wasteland.” As the title suggests, the song is about the human disconnect experienced with an ever more online experience. The lyrics can feel a little like “old man yells at cloud” but the solid hook helps make the song a keeper.
The album’s titular track is where things start shifting. While still not traditional “folk,” the song is a sharp turn in the country direction. Sarah Vitort takes centerstage singing lead with a slight twang about a potentially failing relationship.
Scott Gilmore returns to lead vocal duty on “Tricks.” The song’s metronome-like drum beat and Gilmore’s lyrics about trying to get the woman is reminiscent of Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl.” Vitort’s backing vocals help the song not to feel too leering.
Long Time Honey closes with the album’s latest single, “Don’t Do Nothing.” The song starts as an acoustic ballad but keeps builds to a soulful crescendo. It feels like an appropriate closing track, taking the listener through the gamut of Fox and Bones’ sound.
Considering it is Fox and Bones’s fourth album, you can hear the cohesiveness in subject and sound throughout. The ten songs explore the duo’s sound but never stray too far from their singular vision. Despite half the tracklisting being already released as singles, you still feel like Long Time Honey is an album and is meant to be experienced that way.
Rating: 6.3/10
