I know what will be playing in my car on my next drive back to my native Virginia — for “In the Yard,” one of the first released songs off of Bowerbirds’ new album, carries with it the bittersweet relief of returning home. The Clearing, the North Carolina based folk band’s most recent LP, is reflective of the emotional peaks and valleys experienced by the band in the past couple of years. Dealing with various curveballs including an intense tour schedule, illness, and the break-up turned reconciliation of lead singers Philip Moore and Beth Tacular, The Clearing seems to serve as a kind of emotional release for the entire group. One listen is something akin to a sigh of relief, for Bowerbirds seems to finally have found their stride.
“In the Yard” uses ethereal vocals and a soft pulse to explore the sweetness of rediscovered love and comfort in the belief that what we have in the moment is enough. It is true, perhaps, that without any background knowledge regarding the inspiration behind the song, “In the Yard” possesses the ability to come off as more simply idealistic than originally intended. This being said, however, the succinct chorus hits you like a reminder of what is important, bringing home the message of satisfaction in simplicity.
The song stays true to its title, and comes off as attune created organically in the backyard before being transferred to the studio for an electric tune up. While a worthwhile track on its own, “In the Yard” serves as a sampling for the rest of The Clearing, an album that is revealing of the band’s growth. For a more illustrative look at the real life influences of the album, check out the short documentary on the band’s website about the making of the album — it is an eye opener for any fan or curious listener alike.