In today’s musical climate, people would be more inclined to associate ‘Folk’ and ‘Bluegrass’ with the homogenized stomping and strumming of British band Mumford and Sons or Icelandic group Of Monsters and Men than anything that stays truer to the lineage of American Folk music. With that in mind, Cre EP is a breath of much needed fresh-air. Indiana natives Dave Alpert (Guitars/Vocals) and Morris Burns (Mandolin/Vocals) put tradition first in their exquisite four song EP. Together with producer Doucer Donzer, the duo has crafted a soundscape as expansive and wide open as their home state of Indiana, opting for simple arrangements and clean recordings over the reverb drenched style of so many modern ‘folk’ artists.  Which is not to call Black Bottoms conservative or out of touch. Their songwriting, while staying true to much of the spirit of real American folk, is harmonically adventurous and daring.

The economy of their lyrics matches the economy of their arrangements. Opening song, Scenarios, contains only three lines of lyrics, emphasizing each of them to their full potential. By focusing in on simple and vague themes, Black Bottoms forces you to examine the meaning of not only the words they’re saying, but also the very structure and syntax of the English language. (Used To Think I Could) Just Do It takes this even further by focusing in on only one lyric and a static chord progression. And with reference back to folk artists like Peter, Paul, and Mary, Black Bottoms have included a timeless original children’s song, Monkey In A Tree. Monkey, with fitting more closely to the folk tradition, opts for a story-telling lyrical structure, complete with imaginative imagery and creative production techniques. What exactly are “liquid bones”? The phrase is so aesthetically captivating and sung by Alpert with such a commanding, though non-threatening, vocal, that one can hardly stop to think about it too long.

Some detractors may point to the sometimes sloppy playing and not-always-in-tune singing to dismiss the Black Bottoms entirely. They may even call their particular and sometimes abrasive style ‘noise pollution,’ but to truly understand the full effect of the Cre EP, one must be engaged in the lineage and tradition of American folk and bluegrass music. The slight imperfections in the recording and performing of these songs add a certain timeless charm to them. In a world where even our folk music is over produced and digitally tuned, it’s refreshing and enlightening to be reminded how this music is supposed to sound.

Be sure to check out the Cre EP on bandcamp