Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses Junky Star

On his third album, songwriter Ryan Bingham reveals both confidence and growth. His previous recordings showed promise but were marred by youthful excesses. Bingham won an Oscar for "The Weary Kind," the theme song from the film Crazy Heart. The song was produced by T-Bone Burnett, creating a partnership extended on Junky Star. Bingham and his Dead Horses – drummer Matthew Smith, bassist Elijah Ford, and guitarist Corby Schaub – create a sound planted deeply in folk, country, blues, and roots rock…

Ryan Bingham's stellar 2010 album Junky Star felt like a record he'd been striving to make since he began recording. By contrast, Tomorrowland feels like one he had to make. Bingham ditched his label and the Dead Horses, his longtime backing band. This set appears on his own Axster Bingham label; it was co-produced by the artist and Justin Stanley. Its 13 songs run the gamut, from well-written, acoustically driven Americana tunes to loud, shambolic rockers…