Milkdrive

Places You’ve Not Been (Bismeaux)

A third album from these musically expansive locals plays out much like their previous effort, yet you could never say they’re standing still. Brian Beken, Dennis Ludiker, and Noah Jeffries are each more than capable on fiddle, mandolin, and guitar, and their interplay – no matter who’s playing which instrument – makes them the most innovative of all Austin acoustic ensembles. That they’re still taking their cues from progressive bluegrass supergroup Strength in Numbers means exceptional interplay on open-ended jams “Delephine” and “Camp Schnool.” Folk meets pop on a crafty cover of Devendra Banhart’s “Bad Girl” and the twitchy rhythms of “Take Too Long” veer it toward psychedelia. Songwriting adventurousness combined with tantalizing musicianship, MilkDrive approaches the impossible simply by getting better. (Fri., 4:15pm, Bluebonnet stage)

***.5

This article appears in April 17 • 2015.

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