Spoon and Rafter

iTunes Review

Over the years, Mojave 3 has settled into its role as the U.K.'s answer to alt-country, remaining outside the circle of clichés that often doom slavish devotees to country music's conventions. Instead, Neil Halstead relies on his own sense of melody—suggesting both English folk music and sadcore—to guide the swelling patterns of pedal steel, acoustic, and electric guitars. The ambitious opening cut, "Bluebird of Happiness," is highlighted by pianos, Rachel Goswell's supporting vocals, pedal steel, and unexpected song structures. There's a genuine melancholy to Halstead, even when he's bouncing along jovially on the upbeat "Starlight No. 1." "Writing to St. Peter" throws ambient sounds into its slow discovery. The tune gently unfolds as drums roll like thunder in the distance and chiming keyboards create a sense of unease. "Battle of the Broken Hearts" brings a mild reggae groove to the fore. But it's tracks like the ghostly "Hard To Miss You," the lonely, Neil Young–like piano of "She's All up Above," and the lilting harmonies of "Too Many Mornings" that shine brightest from this spectacular, unclassifiable group.