Madisons

Desgraciados (Paper Frog)

In the wake of Mumford & Sons, youngsters are once again gathering banjos, fiddles, and acoustic guitars to make bluegrass-based music. Madisons, a local collective that can reach a dozen members onstage, includes pedal steel and trumpet on occasion, but stomping rhythms and soaring melodies fit the mold with a Texas twist. “The World” mixes its country leanings into the general indie rock attitude of tunes such as “Iraan,” with its unadorned vocals, and the edgy musical swell of “Wrong I Done.” Hand claps on “Growin Up” alternate between being annoying like the Lumineers and winsome as Matt the Electrician. Co-leaders guitarist Dominic Solis and violin player Rachel Lane point the way to something distinctive, a place they only occasionally touch on here, yet one well within their reach.

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This article appears in December 28 • 2012.

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