Michigan trio The Accidentals pride themselves on creating compelling work that ranges from mainstream to the obscure. Having grown up in musical families, The Accidentals ethos is very much you have to know the rules to break them. Drawing on their classical background the group fuse together folk, jazz, country, rock, bluegrass and a host of other influences, in a way that is all to rare in modern music. Take the African inspired rhythms of Bucket Seat, for example, they wouldn't sound out of place on Graceland, yet with other textures layering the track it becomes a fierce hybrid that determines the band's style.
The sassy skater rock vocal vibe of Where Is My Mind is an bizarre combo of styles, but works delightfully. Shoulders of Giants is more traditional in it's execution, but given the melancholic nature of the track, it's probably better to play safe. However, the result is a bubbling and brooding masterpiece of alt-folk, with an enviable lyrical hook.
Savannah Buist and Katie Larson's close fitting harmonies are as absorbing as the undercurrents of their music where every vocal slide is seemingly matched with an unexpected stroke of the violin or improvisational flourish.
After five years, a relentless touring schedule and plenty of praise from the wider music press, it's not hard to see their appeal. For a band who take there name from notes that fall outside the normal key signature in music - The Accidentals are bang on key.
Groupie rating 4/5
