ATO Records

British folk rocker Bobby Long has a strong hankering for Americana, plucking from country to folk to Jeff Buckley. With a deft, practiced balance of rhythm and melody and a hearty dose of steel flanged guitar, Long’s sophomore album Wishbone commands listeners away from the first sweetly murmuring songs peppered with outside traffic he recorded in his London bedroom. (While drifting towards the name Elliott Smith, it’s worth mentioning that Long was able to borrow Smith’s guitar and amp for the recording of the album.) On Wishbone Long continues the self-awareness developed after signing to ATO Records three years ago. Present is honest rollicking abandon fit for arenas in grittier songs like “Blood In The Orchard,” “Yesterday,” and “All My Brothers” that still emote sadness but carefully abstain from melancholy, and there is still room for the traditional ballad-like “My Parade” and reflectively projecting closer “To The Light” backed with rapturous chorals.