Alela Diane (from the album Who’s Keeping Time?

Alela Diane (from the album Who’s Keeping Time?

​Alela Diane (from the album Who’s Keeping Time? available on Fluff & Gravy Records) (by Bryant Liggett)

Alela Diane’s latest record is sad and serious, scenic and sweeping. Who’s Keeping Time? is a Folk release that plays like a movie score; banging out the miles while Alela Diane’s tunes drift you down the road, the cuts sitting quietly and absorbing the narrative, sparse instrumentation, and emotional vocals.

“California” is the kickoff track for Who’s Keeping Time? and a ripe soundtrack for any stretch that lies from Needles to Barstow to Bakersfield; a lonely train whistle the siren for those long, lonely stretches of isolation. “Galloping” features Folk-noir guitar picking, the story pondering and comparing the night as Alela Diane delivers mysteries lines like ‘darkness falls here and now, or is it just a dog barking at its shadow?’.

“Could Be” has faint drums that drive the subtle melody as Alela Diane ponders what she could be, “Spring Is a Fine Time” has an animated shuffle, making it a cut you’d sing to your toddler as you skip to the park while she treads into Alt Country territory via the locomotive rhythm of “Piss, Coffee, Blood, or Wine”. The aces dealt out in the cut are the layered harmonies that ask ‘honey, is this all we’re here to do?’.

Alela Diane closes Who’s Keeping Time? in three-quarter time, its melody slowed to a crawl when “Endless Waltz” spins drifty, dreamy, and sad song. With airy fills of steel guitar, fiddle, and sparse guitar notes, the album arrives with an ambient feel. Combined with Alela Diane’s thick, hushed vocals the Who’s Keeping Time? plays like a warm lullaby. (by Bryant Liggett) 
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Listen and buy the music of Alela Diane from AMAZON
For more information, head to the Alela Diane website