New music // Juniper Tar - Since Before

Words // Scott Pingeton

Wisconsin has quickly become a hotbed of gentle, heart-on-sleeve folk.  See Bon Iver, S. Carey, Field Report, et al.  Juniper Tar's brand of midwest folk-rock is decidedly more muscular.  A steady back-beat, electric guitars and rousing keys propel these songs to anthemic heights - perfectly suited to spill from the windows of your car in the summer heat.  That isn't to say these are dumb rock songs, though - far from it.  But, Mohr's poetry is probably more Springsteen than Cohen - direct, relatable and nuanced enough to reveal more with each listen.

I'm only a few listens in, so I don't want to go too crazy yet, but it's safe to say that Since Before, the band's new album, ranks pretty high on my list of favorite albums of 2012 so far.  

You can stream the entire album below.  Then make sure to buy it at the band's bandcamp page (I went for the limited 2x vinyl, myself), and while you're at it, get both of the band's previous releases, The Howl Street EP and To The Trees, for free.  Can't beat that.

Juniper Tar covers Wilco

Muzzle of Bees, one of my favorite blogs, just posted a great collection of Wisconsin-based artists covering Wilco's classic Summerteeth album.  Download the full compliation here - it's fantastic (and free).  One of the highlights for me is Juniper Tar's take on Via Chicago - one of the most haunting and personal songs off Summerteeth.  Juniper Tar reminds me at times of early-Wilco and Uncle Tupelo so it's a natural fit, but they manage to put their own stamp on Via Chicago.  The song rides a steady beat and builds to a crescendo of piano and electric guitar.

Listen below, along with the fantastic "Birds In Trees" from Juniper Tar's excellent Howl Street EP - and be sure to download the entire compilation from Muzzle of Bees.

Juniper Tar - Via Chicago (Wilco)
Juniper Tar - Birds In Trees