Article Contributed by Dan Ward
Published on 2026-04-10
The new release “Bad Luck” from Banshee Tree comes out April 17, and it has something for everyone. The band has no definable genre, and that suits them well. The songs are well thought-out, giving the album a polished feeling even though this is only their sophomore release.
Overall, the band works like a well-oiled machine. Each part does what it is supposed to do, does it well, and gets out of the way so other parts can likewise work. This clean musicality makes each song an entity unto itself while adding to the central theme. It is a gift.
The first track, “Look High Over the Mountain,” starts us out slow and soulful with a sax-driven, laid-back groove. Jesse Shantor squeezes every emotion out of the saxophone with a smooth jazz feel that gives the listener a wonderful sense of floating. The lyrics dive into introspective thoughts as the groove builds to a monumental guitar solo. The song flows out like the tide, with the saxes giving way to a piano outro. A great starter for a solid album.
“Bad Luck” is a little more upbeat, with wonderful vocals. The band is tight, with the instrumentalists supporting the vocals yet ever-present. The sound is haunting yet clear. An acoustic guitar solo harkens back to the days of troubadours; it gives way to a very modern electric guitar solo, which itself makes way for some dynamic sax work. Again, the vocals are very clear and perfectly in tune.
The multi-talented Thom LaFond lends his voice to each song, tying each thought to a centralized theme about man and the natural world. Thom is also the talented guitarist and pianist for the group. “Bright Blue Light” introduced fans to the magic the album contains. Simple in its complexity, the song builds musically with each verse upon the one before it.
The dreamy folk song “Might Stay” draws us in with its simple guitar and unencumbered vocals. The song allows Michelle Pietrafitta to concentrate on the lovely harmonies while taking a break from the drums. It provides a nice setup for the next track, “Company of Crows.” The entire band gets in on the groove, creating a soundscape that surrounds the listener. Hang on for Jesse’s sax work on this one—it is amazing. The band keeps the immersive soundscape growing with “Stellar Jay Theme.”
Jason Bertone, the band’s bassist, is the perfect fit for a group with no specific genre—he seems to cover them all with fantastic versatility. The band calls in some banjo help from Andy Thorn of Leftover Salmon for the bright and uplifting “Glue.” The song sounds like sunshine on a cloudless day—just lovely, and definitely a change from the other tunes.
The release closes out with “Stars Above the Lightning.” Driving and jazzy, the song is perfect to end on, as it showcases a multitude of abilities, genres, and the sonorous overdrive the band brings to each track.
In conclusion, “Bad Luck” is nothing but good luck for fans. The songs have depth and precision, with expert musicianship that makes listening a pleasure. A true collection of musical mastery for the eclectic music fan.
