Absolutely

Still going strong after 13 years, the members of Sister Hazel continue to polish their sound and tighten their grooves. On Absolutely, their sixth studio album, they play up their strengths, including strong harmony singing, memorable melodies, and pleasant interplay between acoustic and electric guitar. The lyrics sometimes drift into generic territory, but their skillfully crafted songs stand up because these guys are unusually good musicians. They're tasteful without being flashy, and equally capable of pulling off rockers like “Shame” and “Hey Hey” or a piano ballad such as “This Kind of Love.” They haven’t had a radio hit in a decade, but Sister Hazel has sustained the band by touring heavily and building up a loyal following. And unlike some touring bands that see the studio as a necessary evil, Sister Hazel seem to embrace it. They know how to make good albums, and Absolutely is one of their better efforts.