Intro:
Even though she’s won four Grammys, most people haven’t heard of Sierra Ferrell.
Known for her acclaimed live shows, Ferrell has been making music for years. From being a traveling busker to recording studio albums and now dominating the country music scene, her success has been a long time coming.
Ferrell has already had a few songs, such as “In Dreams,” go viral on TikTok and has collaborated with popular artists such as Post Malone, Shakey Graves, Zach Bryan and more. Her style is unique, eclectic and distinctly reminiscent of old country.
As for her four Grammys, she won the Best Americana Performance for “American Dreaming,” Best American Roots Performance for “Lighthouse,” Best American Roots Song for “American Dreaming” and Best Americana Album for “Trail of Flowers.”
Her newest album, “Trail of Flowers,” is what we are here to review.
“American Dreaming” – Helen Beebe
Filled with melodious magic, this song was a very warm start to the album. The composition of the song feels very smooth, the lyrics and the instrumentals flowing together in a complementary way rather than a contrasting way that made the song feel like it was alive and in a dance with itself.
Through Ferrell’s singing and songwriting, I found myself reminded of artists like Gregory Alan Isakov, Dolly Parton and Patty Griffin as I was immersed in the soundscape of this song, the soft drums and the banjo bringing the soft feels of the music together. With the musicality of the song comes the theme of taking care of oneself despite feeling lost or lonely in life, truly giving the song a magical touch. This has got to be my favorite song on this album.
Favorite lyric: “So I’ll get back home and try to be / Someone that’s something like me / But I’ve forgotten all my angels out here in the wind”
Rating: 10/10
“Dollar Bill Bar” – Hannah Turner
If you want a catchy yet heartfelt song, look no further. “Dollar Bill Bar,” a personal favorite of mine, is a twangy anthem that evokes adventure and freedom into the hearts of listeners. This song is also steeped in American tradition, as the practice of leaving a dollar bill on the wall of a bar is surely something Ferrell picked up from her extensive travels across the United States.
Ferrell swings between careless and sincere, as she jokingly warns her suitors of herself and recounts her bad luck with love. The lively guitar, Ferrell’s crooning voice and flares of harmonica make the song bold and fun. This song is some of the best that rootin’ tootin’ country music has to offer. Ferrell is bringing back old country, and I am 100% here for it.
Favorite lyric: “Guys like you are a dime a dozen”
Rating: 9/10
“Fox Hunt” – Helen Beebe
I was greeted with wonderful surprise at the aliveness of the folk elements of this song. They leapt out at me, putting me in a trance as I felt my soul dance around the beats of the instruments and the vocalization in the background.
Reminding me of the traditional Irish folk song “Dúlamán” with the structured pattern of instrumentals and vocals to the lyrics, I felt the combination of the country and folk elements to be very powerful in the setting of this song. The soundscape added to the theme of hunting in the song, making the listener feel as though they are running through a forest, whether they are the hunter or the hunted. There’s no doubt that this song gets your heart running and your feet pumping.
Favorite lyric: “Just chase that fox down through the pinе, through the cold river bend”
Rating: 8/10
“Chittlin’ Cookin’ Time In Cheatham County” – Hannah Turner
When I first listened to this mesmerizing song, it seemed like the kind of song that would play in the background of a spooky Western movie. This blues song is jazzy, slow and has trills of harmonica. What might surprise audiences is that this song is actually a cover of Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith’s song of the same name.
After learning about the history of enslavement in the United States from traveling in New Orleans, Ferrell wanted to “show appreciation” for the roots of that music and the history behind [blues music].” With a warbling voice and a mesmerizing beat, Ferrell’s historic tribute is applause-worthy.
Favorite lyric: “But they know that there’s chittlin’s cookin’ In them Cheatham County hills”
Rating: 7/10
“Wish You Well” – Helen Beebe
In contrast to the previous songs on the album, “Wish You Well” holds a tranquil and soft atmosphere, like a peaceful quiet flower field transformed into a soundscape. Though the song has a somber feeling of letting go of someone toxic and harmful, there is a hint of bittersweetness with the narrator wishing their previous love well.
The musicality of the song adds to the softness, with the key of the guitar chords presenting itself in a balanced way with the strings in the middle of the song.
Favorite lyric: “And when you sleep / I hope you dream / Someday dancin’ in the sun”
Rating: 7/10
“Money Train” – Hannah Turner
Ferrell’s skill in storytelling is especially prominent in this song. The story is all about a seemingly noncommittal cowboy who leaves his lover. This ode to relationships that are destined to be fleeting leaves me feeling bittersweet.
The lyrics rely heavily on metaphors, like many old country songs, and make the song sweet and simple in the best way possible. Having Lukas Nelson on backing vocals really built the song up for me, while also reminding me of a Brandi Carlisle song. All in all, it’s a solid heartbreak song.
Favorite lyric: “His heart was on the train, he wasn’t built for rain”
Rating: 6/10
“I Could Drive You Crazy” – Helen Beebe
This song is reminiscent of a light-hearted ballad of imperfections, the silliness of the narrator’s described tacky actions to drive someone crazy adding a lively element to the song. The instrumentals of the song are simple, but I did find the present repetitiveness to be a bit distracting.
Other than that, the song presents a playful and spirited tone and is musically emphasized near the end with clapping and cheering and around the middle of the song with drums, which reminded me a bit of indie folk band Fleet Foxes’ “White Winter Hymnal.”
Favorite lyric: “And I cut you down like an autumn crop”
Rating: 6/10
“Why Haven’t You Loved Me Yet” – Hannah Turner
What’s better than a 1960s country ballad about unrequited love? Not much. Unfortunately, instead of channeling Dolly Parton, Ferrell goes for a Loretta Lynn vibe in this song. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Lynn, this style of ballad just isn’t my favorite. It all comes down to personal preference. If you like strumming guitar and the “ooohs” and “aaahs” of a male chorus, give it a listen. But for me, this song is so-so.
Favorite lyric: “I’m watchin’ you, how you run all over town”
Rating: 5/10
“Rosemary” – Helen Beebe
I immediately felt an underlying sense of anger and resentment in the tone of Ferrell’s singing and lyricism, the bittersweet feeling at the beginning of the song losing any trace of its sweetness as the tempo of the guitar picks up.
The first two minutes of the song are Ferrell’s isolated vocals and guitar playing, but the appearance of melodic, quiet clouds of music two minutes into the song add a deeper, more alive feeling of the narrator’s anger of her lover’s lover, Rosemary.
After the narrator sings about killing Rosemary, the music shifts back to just Ferrell’s vocals and slightly slowed guitar playing, representing the narrator’s feelings of finally being able to relax now that Rosemary is dead. An unexpected murder ballad, this song gives you the chills through Ferrell’s writing and use of elemental play through her music.
Favorite lyric: “Way back in the mountains / Where Rosemary, she waits for you” Rating: 7/10
“Lighthouse” – Hannah Turner
I do not get the hype. I hate to say it, but I have no idea how this song won Best American Roots Performance at the Grammys. Everything about this song is annoying. I love Sierra Ferrell, so I was immensely disappointed when I heard this song for the first time.
The only thing I like is the medley near the end of the song, but even that doesn’t redeem it for me. The lyrics are repetitive and boring. Something about the melody just irks me. Maybe if I could listen to it live (Ferrell’s live performances are widely acclaimed) I’d feel differently. But right now? I’m muting my speaker.
Favorite lyric: “Could you be the one that I love so?”
Rating: 2/10
“I’ll Come Off The Mountain” – Helen Beebe
This song presents a similar instrumental feel to “I Could Drive You Crazy” but with a different story and mood, the narrator realizing there is a sting in her relationship with someone whom she still longs to see.
Though a shorter song, the folk elements of the strings and instruments add a lovely feel to the bittersweet atmosphere. The inclusion of the spoken words near the end was an unexpected addition to the song, but I feel that Ferrell’s soundscape was given an extra bit of charm through them.
Favorite lyric: “Blackberries so sweet and fine they stain your lips and mine”
Rating: 5/10
“No Letter” – Hannah Turner
To close out the album, Ferrell presents a sweet and simple love song. While it isn’t awe-inspiring, it does the job it’s meant to. The lyrics tell the story of a girl waiting on a letter from her lover.
Accompanied by plucky guitar and Ferrell’s strong voice, this love song is old-timey and straightforward. I genuinely can’t wait to see what other aspects of old country Ferrell will bring back soon.
Favorite lyric: “I have been lonely, I have been blue No longer am I to see you”
Rating: 6/10
