In the quiet shadows cast by an astronomical phenomenon, The Montvales have crafted a record that functions as both a compass and a mirror for a restless nation. ‘Path of Totality’ is far more than a collection of folk songs; it is a sprawling, interconnected narrative that captures the heat and heavy air of the modern human experience. Sally Buice and Molly Rochelson have moved beyond their busking roots in Knoxville to deliver an album that feels expansive yet startlingly intimate.
The record opens with “World of Trouble,” setting a tone of urgent reflection that persists through every arrangement. Unlike many contemporary acts that lean on nostalgia, The Montvales use traditional instrumentation to dissect very modern anxieties. The production, helmed by Mike Eli LoPinto, grants the duo a panoramic scale. LoPinto also contributes guitar and banjo, weaving seamlessly with the core duo. The sonic architecture is bolstered by the versatile Mary Meyer on fiddle and mandolin, while Aaron Goodrich provides a rhythmic heartbeat that feels more like a steady pulse than a simple metronome.
On “Hellbent on Colorado” and “Loud and Clear,” the writing shines with literary precision. The latter introduces us to a religious misfit, a character study that feels lived-in and empathetic rather than judgmental. This ability to inhabit diverse personas is a hallmark of the record. We travel through the geographic and emotional landscapes of “Carolina” and “Plains of Ohio,” where the duo tackles the looming threat of industrial encroachment with the poise of seasoned protesters.
There is a celestial quality to the middle of the album. “The Wicked” and “Cincinnati” showcase the vocal chemistry between Buice and Rochelson, their harmonies locking together in a way that only years of shared performance can cultivate. The addition of Eddy Dunlap on pedal steel that adds a liquid layer to the atmosphere, particularly effective on the yearning “Runaway Horse.”
The record does not shy away from the darker corners of existence. “Overtime” and “Funeral Singer” grapple with labor and loss, finding a strange beauty in the mundane cycles of work and grief. Jesse Noah Wilson, who also engineered and mixed the project, provides a foundational warmth on bass and keys that prevents the heavier themes from becoming overwhelming. As the album nears its conclusion with “Our Lady” and “Eastern Bluebird,” the listener feels they have completed a pilgrimage across a fractured but beautiful territory.
‘Path of Totality’ manages to be a politically conscious work without ever feeling like a lecture. It is a testament to the power of song to bridge the gaps between the personal and the communal. By looking directly into the darkness of the eclipse, The Montvales have discovered a radiant and enduring light.
Find out more here: Bandcamp | Free Dirt Records.
