"Seven years or so ago, my pride would get in the way. I just wanted to do it myself. But these days, it's more enjoyable and fun to write with other people."
Trail of Flowers is the fourth full-length studio album by American singer-songwriter Sierra Ferrell, released by Rounder Records on March 22, 2024, and distributed by Concord. The album received positive reviews from critics, who pointed to the blending of genres and time periods, starting with the bluegrass origins of Americana, but also exploring its derivatives.
Reception
Editors at AllMusic rated the album 4 out of 5 stars, with critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine writing that "the record itself can play like an American dream: it's a freewheeling collection of country and folk, rooted in the past and winking at the future while being focused on the moment at hand".[3]BrooklynVegan's Andrew Sacher praised the music for blending nostalgia with contemporary music sounds with "that perfect, enduring mix of a warm, modest, organic exterior, and songwriting that really pops".[4] A profile of Ferrell for The Los Angeles Times by Erin Osmon praised the musician's growth but also noted that "the free spiritedness of her music—an uncommon blend of old-timebluegrass, country, ragtime, folk and jazz, anchored by her powerhouse vocals that by turns recall Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and Bessie Smith—remains largely the same".[5]
In No Depression, Maeri Ferguson called the album "a full-hearted collection of songs sung straight from the chest".[6] Writing in Paste, Tom Williams scored this release a 7.5 out of 10, stating that it "draws inspiration from jazz, bluegrass and mid-century country, arriving detailed, lived-in and nuanced", with "an obvious charisma to this style of writing".[7] In Spin, Stephen Deusner ranted this release a B+, stating that the music "is best when it stares down disappointment and disillusionment, regardless of whether Ferrell finds a reason to carry on" and that her exploration of American music styles and culture is augmented by "a generation of players steeped in old-time and bluegrass".[8] In The Wall Street Journal, Barry Mazor praised the diverse backgrounds of the musicians and stated that "this collection stands to stick around".[9]
Track listing
All songs written by Sierra Ferrell, except where noted.
"American Dreaming" (Melody Walker) – 4:17
"Dollar Bill Bar" – 3:29
"Fox Hunt" – 3:18
"Chittlin' Cookin' Time in Cheatham County" (traditional)[10] – 3:02
"Wish You Well" – 3:38
"Money Train" – 2:40
"I Could Drive You Crazy" – 3:36
"Why Haven't You Loved Me Yet" – 2:15
"Rosemary" – 3:36
"Lighthouse" (Lindsay Lou) – 3:39
"I'll Come Off the Mountain" – 1:45
"No Letter" – 2:21
Personnel
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2024)
^"Trail of Flowers - Sierra Ferrell". Rounder. Rounder. p. 1. Retrieved December 6, 2024. The album journeys from freewheeling bluegrass to heartrending old-time music to fantastically gritty honky-tonk and beyond.
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