Mark Lemhouse

Sometimes you hear something that just can’t be pigeonholed into a musical genre and thank goodness for that. Mark Lemhouse has blues running through his veins but he clearly channels a world of musical influences. His warm, soothing, somewhat smoky vocals wrap themselves around 12 tracks (all original save a Ray Davies cover) and blend acoustic guitar with electric, banjo with lap steel, and acoustic bass with cello. Feel-good music rarely digs roots this deep while Lemhouse’s more introspective side forces you to sit up and pay attention. His music sounds familiar at times, which is not because you’ve heard it before so much as it fits your mood perfectly. "I’m Worried” is a modern day masterpiece while the traditional, reworked "Cluck Old Hen” is a dark delight that chugs along, redefining the blues on his terms. "You’re A Bastard” is just plain fun with a country edge that would do Robert Earl Keen proud. Don’t try to figure out The Great American Yard Sale — it’s a little bit of everything, stylistically. Just enjoy it and hope there’s more coming down the rails.