Mountain Man is an independent folk group comprised of three young women: Molly Erin Sarle, Alexandra Sauser-Monnig, and Amelia Randall Meath. Their debut album, Made the Harbor, was released in 2010 under Partisan Records.
Prior to releasing their album, the trio toured with Grammy-Award nominated artist Feist, providing backup vocals and harmonizing alongside the indie-pop heavyweight. They have also been seen on tour with The Decemberists and Sigur Rós frontman Jónsi.
THE RECORD
Made the Harbor stands at a lengthy 14 tracks; only one of those tracks, “Loon Song,” exceeds four minutes. Therein lies the beauty of the record: the other 13 tracks are soft glimpses into other worlds, evoking imagery both of summer and winter, love and hate, and most prominently, the beauty of nature. It seems as though the record was crafted specifically to be played around a campfire in October, the air crisp and the ground littered with orange and brown fallen leaves.
The trio’s ability to seamlessly harmonize with one another suggests that their voices were meant to be heard together. The record often treads the line of being a capella, but the almost silent strum of an acoustic guitar is prominent enough to earn the trio folk status. Never loud, the album is perfect to play while reading or even just when wanting to take a rest. Much like the sounds of nature, Made the Harbor can play without being a distraction.
Their short songs are comparable to poems and not a part of the standard “verse/chorus/verse/chorus/bridge/chorus” formula. It’s easy to get lost in the picturesque world the album evokes, and a sophomore effort is depserately awaited. Currently, Mountain Man has not announced news of a followup album.
NOTES FOR YOU
Key Tracks: “Animal Tracks,” “Buffalo,” & “Soft Skin”
You’ll Like If You Like: Feist, Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver
Where to Purchase: Amazon | iTunes
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