SALT OF THE SOUND JENNY & TYLER THE ORCHARDIST
Beyond Here There Will Be a Song People, People (Acts I,II, III)
Fans of Future of Forestry, Andy Othling, and On this fourth album from J&T, there will indeed This quintet is named after a 2012 novel, as-
Deadmau5, will want to beat a quick path to be songs, and lots of good ones too. And Mrs. sembled at Belmont University and, when not
the web portal of this British-born, Stockholm- Somers, who sounds somewhat like Adam making beautiful music of their own, curates a
living married musician team. Anita and Ben Duritz and Taylor Swift respectively, together series of “supper and songs” evening events
Tallow make piano-based ambient music, make a formidable acoustic pop duo whose in Nashville. They have released three EPs to-
crisply shimmering like a frosty fjord morning. output compares favorably with that of those taling twelve tracks over the course of the last
Some are purely instrumental, while some mix other two artists. Guitars strum and strings year, with a total of twelve songs for lovers of
in vocals from Anita. Unlike previous releases, hum under the guidance of producer Ben upbeat acoustic music. Sumptuous piano,
this one has no hymn arrangements, but the Shive. “He is Good” has stacked female vocals, fiddle, and mandolin lines weave in and out of
lyrics mainly take the form of prayers: “Take while “When I Hold Your Hand, I’m Home” every track. “Fall” is an delightful story-song al-
me broken, wounded healer.” “You call me could be a good Counting Crows outtake. legory personifying a rebellious snowflake that
to go beyond here.” This music could be the “Who I’m Not” transparently confesses the first doesn’t want to fall, and then doesn’t want
soundtrack of your life. Album highlight: The professional hypocrisies of stagecraft: “It leaves to land. “You don’t belong to you. Only devils
multi-layered title track thrums and sighs me empty and afraid when I step onto a stage, think they do.” In the lively “Common Sense,”
across peaks and valleys of sonic composition. being who I'm not.” An eschatological thread our narrator warns away those who would try
runs through “The Sun Will Rise,” “O Freedom,” to help her: “Never mind the dozen times I said
and the thunderously hopeful “Waters Roll,” a that I was lonely.” This is gorgeous stuff mix-
sure entry on your next “songs about heaven” ing modern folk and newgrass in the spirit of
playlist. Guests Adam Agin and NoMaD add Nickel Creek, while keeping the gospel neither
welcome grit. This is an album for thinking, not trite nor hidden: “Jesus’ blood forgave my debt.
falling asleep. He’s never failed me yet” (from “Drink It Down”).
“All of Me” rejoices in the eschatological hope
of the New Earth: “There’s a place for me when
I die, but it won’t be in the sky.”
Robert Berman
Robert is a Sunday School teacher, music nerd,
and acoustic guitar enthusiast. He lives in rural
Tennessee with his wife and three boys.