Welcome to the Family

The first album by Indianapolis' Middletown is as genial and friendly as its title, from its lisping spoken introduction by multi-instrumentalist Tad Armstrong's two-year-old daughter to the ramshackle, back-porch feel of the arrangements. The loose, easygoing feel of the folk-ish tunes contrasts with the occasionally ponderous lyrics; clearly, Middletown was heavily influenced by the Band's Music From Big Pink, and the band seems to be reaching for a similar feel on this album, exploring the Big Topics (family, religion, identity) in microcosm. Unfortunately, Armstrong and his fellow writers, Stacia Demos and Aaron Stroup, are no Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, and Richard Manuel, and the lyrics don't quite reach the level of small profundities that the group seems to be aiming for. Musically, the songs are an enjoyable lot, catchy and melodic with terrific, largely acoustic instrumentation and some exceptional vocal harmonies, especially on the gospel-tinged "Call On Me," by far the record's most powerful song. The Continental Drifters' Peter Holsapple adds mandolin, organ, guitar, and vocals to most of the songs.