Rose City Band: Sol y Sombra

You’ll find a thorn for every blossom in guitarist Ripley Johnson’s Rose City Band lyrics, but his laid-back, front-porch approach always maintains an even keel of country motorik bliss. The recipe remains the same on Sol y Sombra (Thrill Jockey), which again features Barry Walker Jr.’s sublimely supple pedal-steel stylings alongside Johnson’s silky solos. Johnson has said he’s going for “that feeling when you’re out in the woods and the acid just starts to kick in.” And these buttery grooves and rambling road songs suggest mission accomplished once again.