On their third release, the Minneapolis seven-piece The Pines deliver 10 stark songs that run deep. Moody and evocative, their lyrics and sleepy tempos conjure images of late drives on dark highways and stands of the tall, cool pines for which they're named. The three stirring instrumentals (“Moonrise, IA,” “Grace Hill,” and the closing “Losing the Stars”) evoke a similar sense of place. Benton Ramsey and David Huckfelt play guitar and trade off singing lead, and both are compelling and sincere vocalists who complement one another well. Acoustic and electric guitars, upright and electric bass, banjo, subtle percussion, piano, and keyboards patiently intertwine across tense ballads and quietly intense folk rockers. Featuring a rich and spacious sound, the album is coproduced by guitarist Bo Ramsey (Greg Brown, Pieta Brown), who's also father to Benton Ramsey and drummer Alex Ramsey. Dark So Gold is a powerful release that marks the highpoint so far for these mellow Midwesterners.