THE TRISHAS
High, Wide & Handsome
TheTrishas.com
The Trishas’ deeply soulful sounds have sent many chasing the buzz around Texas the past couple years. And for good reason: The foursome’s seamless harmonies, as glowing (“Liars & Fools,” “Cheater’s Game”) and graceful (“Strangers,” “Why”) as a Palo Duro sunset, set them on an absolutely singular path. High, Wide & Handsome doubles down with great news: These four are all excellent songwriters, too. Two years ago, their EP They Call Us the Trishas hinted as much, but here’s real proof. Fourteen sharply crafted narratives on their first proper studio album ebb (“Looking at Me,” “Cold Blooded Love”) and flow (“Little Sweet Cigars,” “Rainin’ Inside”) with infinite motion. Wisdom emerges on high watermarks “Mother of Invention” and “Over Forgiving You”; “I hope you’re well on your way, darling/I wish you all my love,” the latter goes. “The hardest part of getting older comes down to what you rise above.” The album proper is superb on its own, but by all means, immediately seek out the download-only bonus track “A Far Cry From You” (a Jim Lauderdale co-write with Raul Malo splitting vocals). Man oh man, the consecutive minor chords could break a heart before the first verse, and time just stops when those voices kick in. – BRIAN T. ATKINSON
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