Review Summary: Finding beauty in the mundane
Rituals is an immensely calming album. The latest from bluegrass-meets-indie folk group Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange) is easily their most successful release when taken as a whole, but it does nothing to hog your attention. Instead, all elements - the rustic instrumentation, the subdued vocals, the gentle ensuing atmosphere - are far from flashy, lulling listeners into a soothing state of mind. The eleven songs presented here rarely demand attention, but prove utterly gorgeous nonetheless, appropriately enough given the record’s primary theme is a celebration of the low-key wonders of everyday existence. Indeed, there’s exactly one (albeit glorious) moment here which feels especially memorable - that stretch late in “Sway/Endless Highway, Pt. 2” in which the vocalist murmurs “
endless highway, endless highway, see the lifetimes rollin’ by, there’s a red sun goin’ down and a full moon on the rise” before the track settles into a mellow jam band groove, evoking some sweeping western scene soaked in cosmic grandeur - but the humble nature of the rest of the album doesn’t prevent it from creeping up and tugging at your heartstrings while dispensing little nuggets of wisdom. I’ve found myself coming back to it time and time again. As an atmospheric listen for those quiet evening moments spent reflecting on a day gone by while watching the vivid colors of the sunset amid the deepening shadows, it’s doubtful you’ll find better.
