Molly Tuttle
Crooked Tree

Release Date: 2022 | Tracklist

For a moment, I’d like to direct your attention to a lyric from the title track of Molly Tuttle’s latest record:

Perfect trees were driven down the mountain to the mill
They turned them into toothpicks and twenty dollar bills
It seemed the more the people took, the more they needed still in the end
The crooked trees were left there after all the work was done
Now they go for weeks and never witness anyone
No one left to tell them if they’re growing right or wrong but the whispering wind

If there’s ever been a better demonstration of what Tuttle brings to bluegrass, I haven’t seen it. What starts as a commentary on environmentalism and consumerism transforms into existential musings on identity and belonging, as the singer-songwriter’s voice exudes melancholy and warmth in equal measure. While Tuttle’s always been associated with the modern bluegrass scene - hell, her father brought her up on this music - there’s just something about her approach that sets her apart from many of her contemporaries. Maybe it’s the way her humility belies her ridiculous guitar skills, or maybe it’s the way she effortlessly conjures vivid images through her songwriting prowess. But in any case, she’s one hell of a standout talent.

If Crooked Tree proves anything right from the get-go, it’s that her proficiency on the guitar is as incredible as ever. “She’ll Change” is a wild burst of energy, with Tuttle and her backing band Golden Highway blazing through rapid-fire southern guitar/banjo/violin passages. The lyrics themselves might as well be Tuttle’s own life story, weaving the tale of an idiosyncratic woman who lives by her own rules and can’t be pinned down by those around her; meanwhile, her crosspicked guitar work remains in a league of its own. This isn’t to say the entire record is so energetic and intense, however, as there are plenty of moments for you to catch your breath. “Dooley’s Farm”, for instance, is a slow-burning piece whose atmosphere and style are more resemblant to folk-country duo The Civil Wars… well, that is until guest Billy Strings comes in with his more traditional bluegrass-oriented style. The lyrics themselves are a fun character study concerning a farmer who’s secretly a violent outlaw, and the slow pace fits the dark subject matter nicely. The decision to utilize the backing musicians of Golden Highway was also an inspired choice, as their incredible instrumental skills are a perfect fit for Tuttle’s complex melodies and intricate picking style. This is especially true of the more uptempo songs; you’d expect a tune to fall apart at any minute due to everyone firing at all cylinders, but thanks to the sheer proficiency of every musician, it never does.

Where I believe Tuttle truly stands out, however, is in her vocals. As I said before, bluegrass has always been a part of her work; however, her voice is quite a departure from what you’d normally hear in the genre. She doesn’t try to put on some fake accent or Southern drawl (which is probably a good thing considering she’s from California), instead opting for a more contemporary country singing style, something that absolutely works wonders with her lyrics and guitar playing. If there’s another parallel I can draw from The Civil Wars here, it’s that the vocal harmonies are absolutely top-notch; the haunting imagery of “Castilleja” and the tragic co-dependence of “Over the Line” simply wouldn’t be the same without the lovely vocal interplay covering the musical terrain. It’s worth noting that Crooked Tree doesn’t have complicated foundations: rather, it’s what Tuttle and Golden Highway do to supplement these foundations. After all, the chord changes and rhythms are quite typical to bluegrass music; however, the magic lies in Tuttle’s penchant for spinning thought-provoking yarns and creating endlessly compelling vocal melodies.

Crooked Tree closes with “Grass Valley”, a song that gives us a glimpse into Tuttle’s personal life and upbringing; the touching lyrics, which describe her relationship and upbringing with her father, are a final reminder that this record is a true labor of love. Quite fittingly, the music takes on a more reverent and positive tone, coming full-circle with the life- and identity-affirming message of the album opener. Crooked Tree is a beautiful look into what modern country and bluegrass could be in the (hopefully near)-future, combining a respect for tradition with an open mind toward the future. It’s also a fantastic display of what happens when artistry, craft, and soul successfully meld into one near-perfect whole.

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