Album Review: Flatt Lonesome 'Runaway Train'

2014’s IBMA Emerging Artist of The Year, Flatt Lonesome, are set to release their third studio album, Runaway Train, on October 2nd. Family members Charli and Buddy Robertson play alongside their sister Kelsi Harrigill and her husband Paul, as well as Michael Stockton and Dominic Illingworth, with each member contributing to a stellar collective of bluegrass melodies. The sextet’s adept musicianship can be found throughout the twelve tracks, comprised of both originals and renditions, and while the siblings’ vocals shine independently, they soar to a different level when they harmonize.

Penned by Paul Harrigall and Danny Roberts [The Grascals] “You’ll Pay” recalls Del McCoury in both picking and singing on this traditional bluegrass number which opens the record. Kelsi (whose vocals are reminiscent of Sara Evans) takes lead on a cover of Gram Parsons’ “Still Feeling Blue” as well as the self-penned original with a wonderful message, “In The Heat of The Fire.” Lovely hymn “In The Morning,” which Kelsi was inspired to write while reading the Bible, praises the strength and grace of the Lord while the driving “Casting All Your Care On Him” reminds one that God will carry and care for you. “Road To Nottingham” an instrumental track that, like the roads of life (literal and figure) has pleasant curves and varying speeds.

The record also contains the dynamic “New Lease On Life” about moving on, taking flight and following dreams, the humorous and fun “Mixed Up Mess of A Heart” (Merle Haggard) and “Don’t Come Running” (The Bluegrass Cardinals), a toe tapper about losing a love and the unwillingness to take her back. Album closer “Runaway Train” caps off an enjoyable thirty-seven minutes.

If you’re already a fan of Bluegrass, you will undoubtedly enjoy this album, but if you’ve never thought to give that genre a listen, hop on the Runaway Train and open up your musical horizons. 

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