Event

Madisen Ward & the Mama Bear

The new darlings of the Americana world, the Kansas City, Mo.-based acoustic guitar duo of Madisen Ward and his mother, Ruth, are worthy of all the attention surrounding them. The younger Ward s voice has an unvarnished church-revival quality that gives simple songs like Live By Water a cheerful and robust authenticity. His voice jumps and leaps across the soundstage on songs like the exuberant Silent Movies, an infectious toe-tapping, booty-shaking sing-along. Mama Bear, with her strong-but-subtle presence, beautifully supports contemplative tunes like Modern Day Mystery and adds a congenial texture to light-hearted songs like Whole Lotta Problems. When she takes center stage at the beginning of Fight On, there s nothing one can do but listen intently; it s as stunning a song as has been recorded this year. This is an amazing record from a true American music treasure. --Relix