Earlier this year, Coyote Grace released their new album entitled Ear to the Ground.

A duo of artists from California and Ohio, Joe Stevens and Ingrid Elizabeth have put together their third studio album after their first two albums acquired a level of appreciation throughout the acoustic folk music scene.

Both Stevens and Elizabeth specialize in the soft-acoustic, almost bluegrass sound that dominates Ear to the Ground.

Some of their influences include Indigo Girls, Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin, which certainly comes through on several tracks in their lyrics and musical construction.

The sleepy rhythm of the songs gives the album a very relaxed feel and transports the listener back to Vietnam-era retaliation music, except without the anti-war themes.

Coyote Grace’s lyrics seem to be very personal and full of love, both for family and others.

Perhaps this blend of sincerity and tranquility is the reason that the band has enjoyed success across college campuses, community fairs and farmers markets. 

As for the album, the sound quality is excellent and truly allows the mandolin and banjo solos to pierce the smooth flow of most of the songs.

The exception, which might be the most divergent, but still enjoyable track on the album, is “Heaven Dog.”

The almost pop rhythm belongs to the song not about a dog, but about the human error to take things for granted and failure to realize the blessings we enjoy every day. 

The length of the songs do not combat the downside that defines Ear to the Ground: the lack of speed in the songs.

Not only does the length constantly fail to change the listener’s attention from one set of lyrics to another, but encourages the listener to stay in a lull.

The listener might find himself drifting gently off to sleep.

To combat this, Coyote Grace should have limited their music to two and a half minutes to mentally poke the listener awake and serve as a jab before the Coyote’s sleepy trance takes over.

As it stands, this album would be a great one to play right before bed, but maybe not the best choice for listening on a long road trip.

Since Ear to the Ground effectively complements the previous albums that Coyote Grace has published through their independent label Mile After Mile, fans of the psychedelic acoustic, old-rock music will enjoy this production.

While it may put your ear to the ground and place you in a deep sleep, those who stay awake will certainly keep their ear to the speaker.