Rootsy traditionalism

It‰’s no secret that Jack White is a sucker for old timey roots music, and the latest release from his Third Man Factory of Dreams is a clear reflection of that. Produced by roots guitar hero Ry Cooder, The Haden Triplets is a treasure trove of Americana and traditional country/bluegrass music. Featuring almost all acoustic instrumentation (save the occasional electric guitar) and the beautiful voices and harmonies of the three sisters, it‰’s honestly amazing how un-self aware this record is. Unlike modern country music, which is obsessed with proving how country it is, The Haden Triplets are more concerned with writing straight-no-chaser, naturalistic songs about love and loss. Sometimes the results are a little saccharine, like on the weepy “Memories of Mother and Dad,‰” but other times, the ballads help to bridge a gap between traditional American music and classic pop music. By not time-stamping their music or adhering to particular trends, the Haden Triplets have created an album out of seemingly dated music and made it sound timeless.

RIYL: Johnny Cash, Staves, The Parkington Sisters
Recommended: 1, 6, 8, 1