Made to Wonder

The Foreign Landers bring us their latest gem, Made to Wonder. At the helm of this album is Irish vocalist and banjo player Tabitha Agnew Benedict, with her husband, mandolin player and vocalist David Benedict of North Carolina. It is fleshed out with the addition of fellow players Julian Pinelli on fiddle and Nate Sabat on bass, along with a string of guests. Their second full-length album, after their debut Travelers Rest, this offering comes to us like a well-aged, well-crafted wine that’s had plenty of time to breathe.

Made to Wonder has a beautiful fusion of Celtic sounds woven into a bluegrass soundscape. It has the homey feel of a peaceful morning on a farm, with deep insight into the importance of life’s simple pleasures. But also, it speaks of diversity and preparedness for adversity in life. The sound is unique, yet familiar, like an old Richard and Linda Thompson or Paula and Linda McCartney album. “When The Morning Comes” exemplifies this perfectly, with a feeling of life’s impermanence and knowing life and its grandeur is not something to be taken for granted. 

Tabitha Agnew Benedict’s lightning-fast banjo picking breathes sudden life into the title track “Made to Wonder,” which is quite possibly my favorite tune I’ve heard all year. It really carries that transatlantic sound and has a unique tempo that feels as if it speeds up and slows down. “Is It A Dream?” finishes the album on a serene note with diatonic accordion from Nick Cooke of the Kate Rugsby band. Great harmonies throughout the album, with Tabitha’s silky voice melting into the tenor voice of David Benedict, with other guest vocalists like Kris Drever and Danielle Yother.

I can only imagine that the Foreign Landers, once a duo and now a quartet, will only continue to grow and come further into their own. We can certainly see what they’re capable of from Made to Wonder.