Switchback (Transoceanic Records, 2025)

The core trio that comprises The Shootouts changes it up again on their fourth album, "Switchback." Having worked with producers Chuck Mead and Ray Benson, they now enlist Dan Knobler, who adds rock to their "Rust Belt" Americana sound, a stew of bluegrass, western swing and country.

Lead vocalist/guitarist Ryan Humbert, lead guitarist Brian Poston and backing vocalist/guitarist Emily Bates summon prominent musicians to round out their sound - Sam Bush, Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Logan Ledger, Jen Gunderman, Russ Paul, Lindsay Lou and Mickey Raphael. This is esteemed company to say the least.

Easy rolling opener "Trampoline' features vocals from Lindsay Lou, Gunderman's organ and Poston's fuzzed-up guitar, while the southern rocker "The Other Side Of My Life" brims with scorching electric guitars. Standout "Only You," originally performed by the synthpop duo Yazoo, gets the bluegrass-style ballad treatment courtesy of Lou, Bush and Raphael. Meanwhile, Crowell, who connected the band to Knobler, his son-in-law, lends his unmistakable vocals to the reflective ballad, "Half a World Away." Gill gets into the mix too, adding vocals to a song he wrote for Pure Prairie League, "I'll Be Damned," rendered here in Western swing. Pure classic country emerges on "Only Good at Goodbye," featuring Ledger.

Stomper "Just Another Sunday" features Bates on lead vocal with an assist from Raphael. The instrumental title track finds talented guitarist Poston sparring with Bush in rollicking bluegrass interplay. Bush and Raphael pitch in on "Blue Eyes," a smooth one with gorgeous vocal harmonies. Lyrically, the album is generally plain and predictable, but we do find strength in the closer, "Dancing with the Distance," another feature for Raphael, who breaks through a dissonant, psychedelic backdrop. Humbert sings these provocative lines, "There's a guitar in the corner/that I used to play/songs I used to sing when I had more to say" paid off in the chorus "From where I am/to where I'd rather be/I'm dancing with the distance in between."

Kudos to The Shootouts for accruing this level of talented guests and their willingness to experiment. Somehow, it all works well, especially the musicianship and vocal harmonies.