Review: Whispering Pines “Whispering Pines”

Whispering Pines: Whispering Pines

After turning heads with their debut album, Family Tree in 2009, the 5-piece, Los Angeles based Whispering Pines combine a throwback sound with a modern feel that is enhanced 100 proof  on their latest self-titled effort which has Mark Rains (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Waylon Jennings) and Jason Soda (Jacob Dylan) behind the dials, perfectly capturing the carefree nature of their  60s folk rock and 70s country rock blend.  Led by four songwriters each singing their own songs, Whispering Pines produce a  mash up of solid influence and styles that are all held together by their distinct, rootsy brand of rock and roll.

The opener, “Moving On,”  is  a ball of sonic roadhouse energy buzzing with snare clicks, clawing guitar and Delaney & Bonnie and Early Clapton, making this collection of songs the perfect road trip soundtrack.  “One More Second Chance” has a 90’s poppy rock sound that harkens back to The Jayhawks, “GA Highway’s” finger picking and slide guitars break through with a funky  and the raw rock of “Love is Free” with swirling organs, wandering guitar leads, double vocals and tribal drums delivers a loose groovy feeling like they just time warped out of the summer of love. The to the plan vocal delivery of the twang tinged “Broken Spoke,” which pleads “my steps might be out of style, they never fail to bring a smile, to any bright eyed Austin girl who takes my hand tonight” builds into a Neil Young style sing-a-long chorus “Passin’ round like a broken spoke on a spinning wheel.”

For more information on Whispering Pines visit: http://inthewhisperingpines.com/