White Ash Falls

On his second album as White Ash Falls, Andy Bishop makes great strides as a cosmic cowboy, delivering ten tracks of pure left coast bliss. It's easy to understand why bands like Yukon Blonde have hired the BC singer-songwriter's services as a sideman; his musical instincts are impeccable, ranging from the vintage psych-country of "Want It Bad," to the gospel-inflected "That List Is Too Long," and the backwoods stomp of "Lock The Door." The ethereal production approach, courtesy of Colin Stewart (Black Mountain, Dan Mangan), is the album's binding force, creating a gauzy wall of sound that allows Bishop and his large cast of musical friends to storm the gates of heaven one minute on "I Have Been Received," before taking a drive into the desert on "When She Rides." The overall effect lands somewhere in between Bahamas and My Morning Jacket, but it's unfair to try to pigeonhole White Ash Falls. Bishop has created what must be regarded as a personal masterpiece, and it will be fascinating to see where he goes from here.