Review Summary: Flatland Cavalry deliver the goods in an inspired return to form
Flatland Cavalry have consistently pumped out new albums every few years or so since their debut EP dropped in 2015. The hardworking Texas outfit has never been afraid of leaning into their highly emotional brand of neotraditional country which is heavily driven by the lyrical prowess of their frontman Cleto Cordero. For most of their discography that’s been a winning combination.
But sometimes Flatland can sink a bit too far into the melodramatic. Such was the case with their previous album “Wandering Star” which saw the band at their least inspired both musically and lyrically. With the release of their latest album, “Work of Heart,” I’m happy to report that the band has dug themselves out of the mire and reclaimed their signature mix of infectious energy and heartfelt lyrics that made their earlier albums so special while refining and polishing their own unique sound. It marks a definitive step forward for Flatland.
That renewed energy is easily seen on Heartland rock-infused tracks like ‘Gone’ or ‘Unglued’ which undoubtedly slay during live shows. Even cuts like ‘On and On’ or ‘Never Comin’ Back’ which are a bit more restrained are still imbued with a warm energy that drives the songs forward. Of course, this is all propelled by Cordero’s brutally honest and characteristically catchy wordsmithing. Often the lyrics seem to gracefully tumble over the instruments, creating an authentic and unique sound that’s so celebrated by Flatland fans.
That knack for the written word, coupled with the smooth-as-butter neotraditional instrumentation which relies heavily on the fiddle, carries the album gloriously when it slows down too. Tracks like ‘Bird’s Eye View,’ ‘Flicker,’ ‘Long Goodnight’ and ‘Nightshine’ all showcase a real maturity in songwriting that invites the listener to sink into the album. The lyrical meandering on 'Bird's Eye View' in particular is exceptional, feeling both focused and meandering at the same time.
However, even with all these positive turns from their previous record, I still have some quibbles with “Work of Heart” that keep it from completely endearing itself. Those moments come mostly from the title track and ‘All or Nothing.’ Both of which are just too sentimental for my liking and reminiscent of their prior outing. On the latter song in particular, I tune out almost as soon as the first verse wraps up thanks to the overly folksy lyrics and seesaw singing style. It’s not bad, and I’m sure it works for some people, but it just does nothing for me. It would also have been nice to hear more of a peak to the album, or another energetic cut in line with 'Unglued.'
These really come down to personal taste though. Flatland Cavalry have crafted a great album that marks a true return to form with “Work of Heart.” And thankfully the boys from Texas know when to call it a night as this record doesn’t suffer from the dreaded streaming-first album bloat that so many country artists lean into nowadays.
Flatland Cavalry’s brand of Red Dirt country can certainly be a grower, so if this album doesn’t initially impress you I’d recommend giving it another spin or digging into some of their back catalogue. I know that for me “Work of Heart” took several spins to really land. I initially thought it was a decent record although maybe a bit too similar to “Wandering Star,” but repeat listens have really unveiled an engrossing and meticulously crafted experience. The beauty here is in the musical subtlety and lyrical poetry, and that’s exactly what Flatland Cavalry does best. “Work of Heart” is worth checking out simply because it’s one of modern country’s most engaging outfits doing what they do best with real heart and true conviction.
