Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

The Arcadian Wild
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE


The Arcadian Wild
Finch in the Pantry

Album length: 11 tracks: 49 minutes
Style: Progressive Bluegrass
Street Date: May 3, 2019
Buy It: iTunes
Buy It: AmazonMP3
Buy It: Bandcamp


The Arcadian Wild proclaim themselves to be "at the intersection of genre," considering bluegrass, folk, classical, pop, blues, and perhaps a few other styles that combine to form progressive bluegrass, which may fly under the radar of many, but has gained some notoriety by artists such as Nickel Creek and The Punch Brothers. Their second full-length album, Finch in The Pantry showcases those sensibilities brilliantly, in a cohesive collection of songs that dance around that intersection.

Even if unfamiliar with the Arcadian Wild or progressive bluegrass, the listener will find some long-lost familiarity in the themes and melodies, which allows one to settle in and experience the freshness and depth that they bring with these tunes. The upbeat "Hey, Runner!" sets the stage using all four instruments (mandolin, guitar, fiddle, stand-up bass) in counterpoint that merges into one sound and then back again. Without question, this is a toe-tapper that recounts an interaction between a less-than-humble musician and his/her festival runner.

Founders Lincoln Mick and Isaac Horn alternate taking the lead on the album along with a few full instrumentals. Highlights include the haunting "Silence, a Stranger," a soaring song that contemplates the loss of solitude amidst the busyness of life ("Quiet come another time. Isn't on my side. I need to look alive.") and the hopeful "The Graduate" that celebrates the concept of community ("We share a heart of gold. We are a body of broken bones. When were we ever alone? Together, we'll make our way home."). "The Food Truck Blues" adds a humorous change of pace with a more traditional bluegrass recounting of Lincoln's experience serving burgers with the hope that the band would soon "blow up online."

Lyrically, much of Finch in The Pantry is introspective, humbly reflecting real human struggles with subtle but clear undercurrents of faith with nods to prayer/meditation and the Church, along with a brutally honest reaction to the apostle Paul's call in Ephesians to "Awake O Sleeper" in the song of the same name.

The Arcadian Wild has kept busy since the release of this album, with the subsequent release of numerous covers and original singles, along with 2021's amazing Principium EP. This fall has seen a torrid touring schedule including a slot on Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb of God tour, and the band has hopes to hit the studio again soon.

Overall, Finch in The Pantry is a wonderful effort that should win over the ears and hearts of not only the few progressive bluegrass faithful, but also anyone willing to step out and take in the consummate poetry, composition, and musicianship of this album.

- Review date: 1/8/22, written by Tom Sehman for Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

 

. Record Label: None
. Album length: 11 tracks: 49 minutes
. Street Date: May 3, 2019
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: AmazonMP3
. Buy It: Bandcamp

  1. Hey, Runner! (3:58)
  2. Tell It Like It Is (5:11)
  3. Finch In The Pantry (3:51)
  4. Silence, A Stranger (5:30)
  5. The Food Truck Blues (2:58)
  6. Stan The Man (2:44)
  7. Oh, Sleeper (4:50)
  8. Civil War (5:24)
  9. Holemabier (3:20)
  10. The Graduate (4:48)
  11. A Benediction (6:09)

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images