Which Way Is Forward? is the second full-length outing from Ohio’s Ludlow Creek and the Midwestern based quintet impressive re-invention from an one-time cover band into a band surviving on their originals is inspiring. The band’s five musicians enjoy healthy and long-standing relationships with their band mates extending beyond the bounds of everyday collaboration and, indeed, Ludlow Creek makes little secret their avowed intent is for their music and live shows to inspire a communal atmosphere.
“Finding Our Way Back” is definitely a song that encourages such a mood. Its classic rock with a roots edge, though they seldom stay put for long in a particular spot. Ludlow Creek embraces that aforementioned label but it’s really a compromise of sorts to satisfy the marketplace. It’s more singer/songwriter material, defying any uber-specific label, and a wide stylistic reach. They don’t confine themselves to one narrow “riff” on classic rock traditions but, instead, introduces us here to one of the more recognizable cards they will play.
The herky-jerky arrangement of “Road to Nowhere” does an excellent job of approximating the unsettled quality of the song’s narrative. The “narrator” is obviously in dire straits with someone close to them and the song’s central riff likewise reflects that claustrophobic desperation. Ludlow Creek positions the “Stoney Lonesome Road” as one of Which Way Is Forward’s marquee tracks with its accompanying music video and even a single listen will illustrate why. It’s clearly a track the band, especially vocalist/guitarist Allen Seals, invests a deep passion into performing.
The lyrics are poetic without lapsing into self-indulgence. It’s an aspect of Ludlow Creek’s presentation that bears examination. Their words for this album are suited to the individual track; the opener “Finding Our Way Back” has a conversational style familiar to more commercial tracks in this vein. The aforementioned “Stoney Lonesome Road”, however, adopts much more retrospective and less percussive language as the song’s respective aims are different. Their ability, however, to inhabit multiple musical worlds without a misstep will gain them many admirers.
Ludlow Creek has captured a great drum sound for Jeffrey Friend. The authoritative pop of his playing on tracks like “Sweet Celebration” are able to buffer songs such as that with added meaning. There’s a lot to digest on this release, but “Sweet Celebration” shares that same search for a communal vibe that defines other songs. It features some of the best vocal harmonies. Keyboard player and vocalist Michelle Scarpelli’s turn in the spotlight with the track “Steal Away” is an affecting, vulnerable without ever sounding cowed, and the keyboards counterpoint it well.
The acoustic closer “Sunrise in the Trees” ends the album on a quiet and rustic note. The deliberate throwback nature of the finale isn’t ambiguous; it opens with the sound of a scratchy record before the performance begins. Ludlow Creek’s Which Way is Forward? is an excellent second album that expands on and underlines their potential. There’s no stopping them from this point forward and even greater triumphs are awaiting this quintet.
Claire Uebelacker