National Bohemian

Baltimore-based the Bridge hit their stride on their third release, National Bohemian. Rather than record the album themselves as they did for their first two, they brought in Steve Berlin this time, a member of Los Lobos and an experienced producer who clearly understands the band. The sextet boasts a high level of musicianship that is always used to support these 11 strong songs. In other words they don’t jam here for the sake of jamming, which makes the individual tracks on National Bohemian tighter and the album as a whole more cohesive. Kenny Liner (mandolin, vocals) and Cris Jacobs (guitar, vocals) are the main songwriters and singers, and saxophone, keyboards, and various percussive touches add texture to the string instruments and consistently solid drumming. They get funky and gritty on “Big Wheel” and “Hey Mama,” “Chavez” and “Rosie” are roots rock standouts, there’s a light Latin feel on “Moonlight Mission,” “Geraldine” has a Band via New Orleans vibe, and there’s a sublime ballad in “Long Way to Climb.” The Bridge finds their own sound on National Bohemian and in the process creates their best album yet.