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Middle Brother (Limited Edition 10")
Description
Middle Brother arrives with the self-assured confidence of a band that already knew what they were doing. Released March 1, 2011 on Partisan Records, this folk-rock debut from the Nashville-based supergroup showcases a sonic tapestry woven from three distinct sensibilities: John J. McCauley's caustic growl, Taylor Goldsmith's smoother tenor, and Matthew Vasquez's warm baritone. Recorded in a week at Adam Landry's Playground Sound studio in Nashville-the same space that would later house countless honky-tonk classics-the album represents a deliberate experiment in collaboration rather than mere convenience. The band had previously toured as "MG&V," playing SXSW in March 2010 with an eye toward releasing this material once their separate projects allowed. They didn't want it to overshadow their original bands; instead, they treated it as a one-off endeavor, which paradoxically freed the album from expectations.
The album's twelve-song setlist weaves a narrative of Americana roots rock with an underlying tension between authenticity and commercial appeal. Standout tracks like McCauley's "Daydreaming" and Vasquez's "Blue Eyes" demonstrate how each member helps the others achieve musical effects they couldn't produce alone-a comparison often drawn to Crosby, Stills & Nash, though Middle Brother's chemistry feels more conversational than ceremonial<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Brother_(album)</ref>. Notable guests include Jason Isbell on guitar for "Blood and Guts" and Jonny Corndawg's spoken-word contribution to the title track, both lending the project an air of curated prestige without overshadowing the core trio. The album's critical reception was largely favorable, earning an aggregate score of 76% on Metacritic<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Brother_(album)</ref>.
The 2016 limited edition 10" picture disc, pressed to 2,000 copies, packaged five B-sides alongside a previously unreleased Middle Brother version of Deer Tick's "Funny How Time Slips Away"<ref>https://www.amazon.com/Limited-Picture-Disc-Middle-Brother/dp/B01M4NTWHL</ref>. These bonus tracks suggest the project may have been even richer than the official tracklist hinted-a curious footnote for collectors. The vinyl release, dated November 24, 2016, stands as a testament to the band's cult following, particularly among vinyl enthusiasts who value the tactile experience of analog recordings. For the discerning audiophile, Middle Brother remains a compelling artifact of early-2010s folk-rock revivalism, balancing commercial accessibility with artistic integrity.
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