Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

To feel bewitched by sound is such an enormous pleasure that it can feel at times completely overwhelming, the sense of having been placed under a soothing spell of aural confusion and symphony is to give yourself to the elementals and the practitioners of numerous spiritual allusions; it is under this influence that the trip to Salem Town is one that comes out of the blue and strips you of all tempting pride and places you instead in a world where angels speak to you of enchanting stories and tales.

Whilst the music of Backline is one that is steeped in the Folk and Bluegrass tradition, it is in the thrall of the band’s third album, Salem Town, that marks it out as an oath to fidelity, the understanding that the incredible lead vocals supplied by Katelyn Ingardia are evocative and anything but gentle.

Alongside Ms. Ingardia, and becoming keepers of the exquisite cauldron that has been produced by Aaron Ramsey, Travis Tucker, Zach Carter, Jason Belue, Milom Williams and guest musician Clint White on fiddle, give themselves over to this meeting of minds that grows with each listen, that shapes itself in the gut instinct of the listener that there is something worshipful at play.

The feeling is that these are more than songs, they have the hallmarks of incantation, of a summons to remember and be faithful to the ability of the band, whilst all the time opening up a place in between time where strangers can gather and find reason. In songs such as Better Days, He’s The One, the exceptional Strange Woman, Heart Break and the album’s title track, Salem Town

In the hunt for the other worldly and answers to the great beyond we often reflect too hard on what we imagine to be there, rather than the evidence before our eyes and ears, our senses dulled by the need rather that the spirit; it is with engaging attitude and life force, one that is reminiscent of Grace Slick’s prowess and Jefferson Airplane’s observational skills that makes Salem Town worthy of praise. A fantastic album to find yourself engaging with.

Ian D. Hall