Traveling Alone (Bonus Track Version)

There’s an astonishing maturity in the arrangements of Tift Merritt’s fifth record—deep and lush roots rock and folk with more than a touch of country. The title track opens gracefully with a gentle crescendo building throughout, from sparse acoustic guitar to shuffling drums and fiddle. “Sweet Spot” rolls along with sweeping pedal steel and just the right amount of a sinewy guitar solo. “Spring” sounds mysterious and haunted, like driving down a dark highway, and the rousing finale “Marks” signs off on an uplifting note.