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Sep 03, 2024 Web Exclusive By Mark Moody

Two years and a label later, the Blair Howerton-led Why Bonnie retain plenty of residual heat from their full-length debut, 2022’s 90 in November. Where Wish on the Bone’s predecessor felt more thematic from the title on down, Howerton’s latest is more of a patchwork held together by a core of strong songs and, most notably, an ever growing vocal prowess.

Songs like “Rhyme or Reason” or the title song, find Howerton cooly cooing her way through a stinging guitar lead on the latter or a gently meandering melody line on the former. Like a current day Edie Brickell sailing through the curves thrown her way without ever breaking stride. Evocative lines such as “asphalt and paint, and gasoline saints” continue to pull through from Howerton’s Gulf Coast upbringing.

Better still is the harder charging “Dotted Line,” with its oft repeated “I should’ve known better” chorus. Maybe not a reference to being multiple band members (departed members Sam Houdek and Kendall Powell both appear on the album) and record labels down the road, but the shoe, and the emotion, at least fits. Howerton is equally at home with the more country tinged tracks. “Headlight Sun” is arguably the highlight of the album, while the fiddle accented “Three Big Moons” anchors the record’s second half.

There’s no doubt that Wish on the Bone is frontend loaded, with the first five songs showcasing a band playing to its strengths. Things may fade a bit in the stretch, but “Three Big Moons” and the heartfelt “Weather Song” serve to buoy the second half. Winnowed down to the trio of Howerton, Chance Williams (bass), and Josh Malett (drums), Wish on the Bone finds the group consolidating their powers and plowing confidently forward. (www.whybonnie.com)

Author rating: 7/10