Candlewyck
Candlewyck

Recording under the name Candlewyck, the acoustic duo of guitarist Ty Bennett and mandolin player Chris Emerson released their self-titled debut. The album truly doesn’t break new ground musically or lyrically — it’s a warm mixture of contemporary bluegrass, folk, and pop with a few nods towards jazz and classical (think Nickel Creek) — but it does make for an enjoyable listen, nonetheless.

Throughout Candlewyck, the vocals are tight, but polished — so much so that one is easily distracted from the fact that these guys can actually play. This undoubtedly explains why ringers such as Joe Craven, John Cowan, Don Rigsby, and Tony Furtado were willing to lend a hand to Bennett and Emerson. Not surprisingly, then, it’s the instrumentals that work best as the duo and their guests are able to kick back and jam without the glossy sheen that undermines some of the other tracks. Still, it’s an intriguing effort, worth more than just a cursory perusal.