Book of Silk

Following in the pattern of their previous releases, on Tin Hat Trio's fourth album, Book of Silk, the trio of violin, accordion, and guitar traipse through haunted saloon doors and across rainy Italian piazzas. Skirting the line between jazz, acoustic music, and contemporary composition, Tin Hat Trio's earthy sonic explorations seem like something from the turn of the century, but they leave it unclear as to which century they are referring. Could be 1800, could be a century yet to come. While their songs would never be mistaken for pop tunes, previous releases have kept a real ear toward structured melody, often offering "the hook" buried deep within their meandering tune, but Book of Silk seems to drift even further out than anything before. Gone is Willie Nelson singing "Willow Weep for Me," but in his place are gauzy soundscapes and textural ghost stories, occasionally discordant and nearly always beautiful. The dobro-and-tuba-driven "Things That Might Have Been" is a cinematic piece perfect for a film about juggling, while the opening track "The Loneliest Night" sums up the group's ability to be haunting, endearing, and thought-provoking all at the same time. The album culminates with a charming chamber piece gently sung by violinist Carla Kihlstedt which serves as the perfect lullaby, lovingly tucking the album in for a good night's sleep. by Zac Johnson