Yarn (from the album Born Blessed Grateful & Alive

Yarn (from the album Born Blessed Grateful & Alive

Yarn (from the album Born Blessed Grateful & Alive available on 333 Entertainment) (by Lee Zimmerman)
 
Despite their somewhat unassuming handle, Yarn makes music that quickly gets under the skin and lingers well beyond any initial impression. Led by singer, songwriter, and founding member Blake Christiana, the band shares an irrepressible attitude that fully exudes a love of Americana, as conveyed through infectious hooks, compelling melodies and thoughtful messaging.
 
Christiana himself certainly has had plenty of opportunity to hone those skills, having led various versions of Yarn over the course of the past 18 years. Once a bar band in New York City, they quickly managed to score a weekly residency at the famed Kenny’s Castaways in Greenwich Village practically straight from the get-go. Since then, they’ve gone on to share stages with the likes of Dwight Yoakam, Marty Stuart, Alison Krauss, and Leftover Salmon, among many others.
 
Still, within the world of entertainment — and music in particular — one is only as good as his or her latest effort. That makes Born Blessed Grateful & Alive especially significant. Their first release since 2019’s Lucky 13, it’s a testament to their endurance and, of course, Christiana’s ability to share songs that resonate even on first listen. At the same time, the band eschews any hint of posturing or pretense. The assuring advice shared with “Turn Off the News”, “Traveling Kind”, and “Wake Up” — as well as the pedal steel sway that breezes through “Something’s Gotta Change” and the steady stride that drives such rockers as ”Down at the Dancehall” and  “Heart So Hard” — allow for a comforting delivery that’s as inspired as it is engaging. Granted, some of the songs take on a quiet, more considered sound — “These Words Alone” and “Give On” in particular — but there again, the melodies manage to resonate and make an enduring impression that assures their strengths. So too, when they offer up the track titled “Play Freeboard,” the irony is all too obvious.

Ultimately then, Born Blessed Grateful & Alive lives up to its mantra, proof yet again that Yarn possess the fabric that makes for memorable music. As always, Yarn holds together remarkably well. (by Lee Zimmerman)
 
Listen and buy the music of Yarn from AMAZON
 
Please go to the Yarn website for more purchase and artist information