Ghosts Along the Brazos’ second effort latches on one word: growth. The five local twenty-somethings were already established players on their own, with résumés that include stints with the Belleville Outfit, Marshall Ford Swing Band, Junior Brown, and Ray Price. Throughout the eight-song, 25-minute When It Rains It Pours the songwriting, ensemble play, and genres attacked – rather than attempted – all sound more luminous. They still rely on swing for a jumping off point, as evidenced by the call and response of “Fool, Fool, Fool,” but Connor Forsyth’s piano showcase, the instrumental “Corndog Shuffle,” possesses a second line beat that’s newly contagious for them, while the Beatles-meet-Ben Folds of “I’ll Get Home” turns a novel idea in musical reality. Bassist Kristopher Wade’s “Thoughts of You in Spring” gets a bit mawkish, a GATB weak spot, but When It Rains It Pours proves they’re capable of many different colors.

**.5

This article appears in February 14 • 2014.

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