Music Review: Sons Of Bill, Love & Logic

By Melissa Bratcher

On their fourth album, Charlottesville, Virginia outfit Sons of Bill (brothers Abe, James and Sam Wilson are literally, sons of Bill) return with glorious harmonies, thoughtful, literate lyrics, and some excellent musicianship. Produced by former Wilco drummer (and Grammy-nominated producer), Ken Cooner, Love & Logic is the sonic equivalent to wispy clouds scudding across a full moon. It’s arresting and loaded with hooks, but also at times deeply lonesome.

Love & Logic, however, is not a morose album. The lead off track, “Big Unknown,” is simultaneously upbeat and a bit lonely. It’s surprisingly bass heavy for a song that treads the same auditory ground as ’80s era REM. In fact, more than one track veers into ’80s country/indie/rock. “Bad Dancer” has a throwback, anthemic feel, complete with intelligent lyrics and driving synth bubbling along. “Landslide” goes full REM (with a dash of Replacements), down to the jangly guitar, though the vocals are more Billie Joe Armstrong than Michael Stipe.

The evocative “Road To Canaan,” with rambling acoustic guitar, is a quiet marvel. It captures the deserted open road of a night drive (“Midnight in Nebraska/we’re pushing on to home”). The harmony of the chorus is painfully lovely. “Fishing Song” also pushes the line of evocative and lonesome. Hushed and introspective, it draws on a well of sadness. The piano line is particularly pleasing paired with slide guitar. “Lost In The Cosmos” dwells in amazing, luscious harmonies, which elevate this tribute to Big Star’s other frontman, Chris Bell, to a higher plane. The title track boasts delicious harmonies as well, over a hushed heartbeat of a bass drum and a churchy organ.

It’s hard to classify Sons Of Bill. There’s definitely an Americana feel to them, with the outstanding slide guitar and their embrace of Southern culture. One thing that makes them harder to classify is their penchant for the darker side of lyrical content as well as their retro feel. What makes Love & Logic so engaging, though, are its on-point harmonies. The harmonies are a treasure, and add a layer of richness to the songs that elevate them past the point of run-of-the-mill Americana.

Love & Logic was released by Thirty Tigers on September 30.

Tour Dates:
10/10 – Columbus, OH @ The Basement
10/11 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas
10/12 – Goshen, IN – Ignition Garage
10/15 – Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar
10/16 – Newport, KY @ Southgate House
10/17 – Nashville, TN @ The High Watt
10/18 – Charlotte, NC @ Visulite Theatre
11/07 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s
11/08 – Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s
11/15 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Sings Like Hell