Southern Attic Sessions

This release — the first since the departure of drummer Boone Daughdrill — reconnects the Virginia-based Christian group with its Southern gospel underpinnings. Lead vocalist Josh Reedy combines the smoldering emotion of a blues singer with the fervor of a backwoods preacher, ably supported by the deft licks of guitarists Brain Bunn and Eric Miker. The trio’s acoustic side is well represented by “Son When You Feel Down,” a hope-filled rocker that wouldn’t be out of place on a Black Crowes album. Also displaying muscle and heart are “Deeper Well” (a dark-tinged Emmylou Harris cover featuring a tasty guitar solo) and “Narrow” (a stirring reconsideration of one of the band’s early tunes). The ballads “Where I Wanna Be” and “Be Strong” are straightforward testimonies of faith that are at once gritty and transcendent. The small-scale nature of Southern Attic Sessions works to Decemberadio’s advantage — this is down-home, God-centered rock with the feel of personal testimony.