Songlines [Import]

"Songlines" is perhaps Derek Trucks Band's most accessible album, it completely captures the diverse strengths of the group and it's leader. One of the most prominent virtues of Songlines (the title was taken from an aboriginal tale) is the down-to-earth presence of vocalist Mike Mattison. His usually somewhat gruff tones can give way to a soulful falsetto, as on "Crow Jane", but either way, Mattison's singing is free of affectation and replete with focused emotion. Along with producer Jay Joyce, the vocalist also collaborates on original songs like the album's understated closer, "This Sky", thereby adding personality to the unit with more than just his voice.