III [Metallic Silver Vinyl] (LP)
The Lumineers
Amoeba Review
Darker than their usual output, The Lumineers’ I is an impressive showcase of the band’s songwriting abilities. The album opens with the tender, sweetly sad “Donna,” an immediate attention-getter that ranks as one of the best and most intriguing folk pop songs of the year. By the time “Gloria” rolls around the band has returned somewhat to their rollicking, boot stomper melodies, although there’s still a definite undercurrent of sadness to this tale of love and addiction. “Salt and the Sea” will linger in the mind, thanks to its devastating melody and plaintive piano harmonies. An impressive step forward for the band, III is definitely one of The Lumineers’ best albums.