Tremolo (2009)

Edgy alt-folk duo The Pines (David Huckfelt, Benson Ramsey) return with Tremolo, their follow-up album to 2007's internationally acclaimed, Sparrows in the Bell which received rave reviews including 4-stars from Q Magazine. Where Sparrows was the calm before the storm Tremolo parts the clouds and lets the sun sneak in. With its alluring acoustic melodies, gritty electric guitars and refined songwriting, David and Benson have created a modern roots masterpiece.

Recorded in only two days and produced by acclaimed producer Bo Ramsey, Tremolo has all the elements of a classic. Eloquent lyrics that are carried by two distinct voices that coalesce in a unique blend of indie-rock, folk, and blues. The grooves are textured and atmospheric while sparse arrangements construct a musical landscape that can "make you feel happy and sad almost simultaneously."

From the driving opener "Pray Tell," the haunting title track "Lonesome Tremolo Blues" to their complete re-adaptation of "Spider" John Koerner's "Skipper and His Wife" and the mournfully beautiful closing track "Shiny Shoes," Tremolo is an album that can descend through every corner of human emotion while leading the listener to the light at the end of the tunnel. An album of this significance proves why The Pines are one of the important new voices in American roots music.

"Starkly poetic, buzzed-about Americana"

- Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Lyrically clever, witty and vivid, and musically inspired, these songs live instantly in your head"

- Q Magazine

"the Twin Cites' answer to Calexico... well-crafted originals with powerful reinterpretations of folk tunes"

- The Onion

Sparrows in the Bell (2007)

Featuring the talents of David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey, The Pines combine elements of roots, blues and rock music to create a raw, haunting sound that is inventive and compelling. Sparrows In The Bell is a darkly romantic collection of original songs along with traditional tunes that have been updated for a new generation of folk fans. Like other roots acts of their generation, The Pines create timeless music that is hip and relevant yet evokes century-old ghosts, inspired by romantic writers and roving troubadours. 

Sparrows In The Bell was produced by The Pines and Benson's father Bo Ramsey ( Greg Brown, Lucinda Williams, and mixed by Tom Tucker (Prince, Jonny Lang) It was recorded in just four days with the help of a whole lot of Minneapolis talent including bassist Chris Morrissey (Mason Jennings, Andrew Bird), drummer J.T. Bates (Michel Portal, John Gorka), singer JoAnna James, members of the Spaghetti Western String Co. and Benson's brother, keyboardist Alex Ramsey.

The centerpiece of the recording, though, is The Pines themselves. David's strong voice and rhythmic acoustic guitar blend seamlessly with Benson's soft raspy vocals and grooving electric guitar riffs. Whether singing a wistful love ballad like "Without A Kiss," or a restless song of unfulfilled dreams like "Let's Go," the duo has an unmistakenly original sound. Paying homage to traditional music of their youth, they artfully cover "Careless Love," giving the song a rolling Americana sound that is contemporary and fresh. The Pines create a sound all their own, walking a thin line between sweetness and sadness, harkening back to the folk, blues and country songs that they heard growing up in small-town Iowa.

Track Listing:

1. Horse & Buggy
lyrics | listen

2. Don't Let Me Go
| lyrics

3. Without a Kiss 
lyrics | listen

4. Throw Me in the River
lyrics | listen

5. Let's Go
| lyrics

6. Circle Around the Sun | lyrics

7. Light Under the Door
| lyrics

8. Careless Love

9. Midnight Sun
| lyrics

10. Goin' Home
lyrics | listen

Misc. Tracks: "Worried Blues" (Trad.) by The Pines.
(recorded 02/04 by T. Rigione in Rapid City, S.D.)

The Pines

The Pines Self-Titled Trailer Records Release is Currently Out of Print

Track Listing:

1.  Moon When the Cherries Turn Black

2.  Bound to Fall| listen

3.  Make a Run

4.  Different Clothes
| listen

5.  Wishing Well Waltz

6.  Pale White Horse
| listen

7.  Bella

8.  Black Train| listen

9.  Too Far Gone| listen

10.  It Wasn't You

11.  Stevenson Hotel Breakdown | listen

12.  Absaroka Instrumental

13.  Roll On John | listen