Norman, "No Clouds," Hay, Hay Make a Wish and Turn Away (Timber Carnival Records)

I assume that by now everyone has heard the new Blitzen Trapper album, Destroyer of the Void, right? While the band's past efforts ripped through genres like Jeremiah Masoli looking for a new laptop (sorry, it's just too easy), Destroyer of the Void sees the band narrowing its focus and concentrating on a brand of countrified rock that feels like it could easily fit on a Flying Burrito Brothers record. It also appears that influence has rubbed-off on another band with heavy alt-country roots: local quintet Norman.

"No Clouds" is one of the lead tracks from Norman's sophomore full-length, Hay, Hay Make a Wish and Turn Away, and it's got the same rollicking feeling as the recent BT material. It's led by a few hot licks and tumbling banjo, but "No Clouds" really hits its mark on the chorus, which is embellished by some serious three-part harmonies. Vocalist Eric Nordby even sounds almost exactly like Fleet Foxes Robin Pecknold here, but the song is much more of a playful throwback than trad genre pastiche. I'm almost as excited to hear more of this stuff as I am for this damn rain to finally go away.

[audio:NoClouds.mp3]

Link:
NormanSpace

Photo courtesy of Norman