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The Belleville Outfit
Time to Stand
Self-Released
(Release Date: 5/12/09)

Seemingly blasted out of shotgun in early 2008, the debut album Wanderin'  by Austin six-piece Belleville Outfit raced up the Americana music charts while many tastemaker radio stations crowned them kings (and queen). With crafty guitarists and vocalists Rob Teter and Marshall Hood, keyboardist Connor Forsyth, and the wonderfully complimentary vocals and violin of Phoebe Hunt, the ingredients remain the same, but will their follow up, Time to Stand, keep them in the high court of roots music up-and-comers?

The title track pulls the trigger with the kinetic motion of a chugging narrow-gauge locomotive. The subtle patriotic theme features building piano and leads to head-nodding guitar and violin trade offs. A witty and snappy “Sunday Morning” is their brand of gypsy swing and a tip of the hat to those who came before them, followedy by the straight-up swing tune, “Nothing’s Too Good for My Baby.” Things slow down with Teter’s saucy vocals on the bluesy “Let Me Go,” and things tend to wander a bit too whimsically on “Love Me Like I Love You,” revealing a group not always secure to musically delve into such territory. But what’s that ‘round that bend over there?

If the intention was to start rolling downhill through shimmering Aspen trees and past cascading waterfalls, “Once and for All” is firmly at the controls and is perhaps the strongest track of the album. It is a driving and emotional journey that showcases Teter and Hunt’s vocal harmonies, harnessing their potential to be great.

Throughout, the rhythm section of Jonathan Konya (drums) and Jeff Brown (bass) are strong when they need to be (“Sunday Morning,” “As Good As it Gets,” “She Went Away) and delicate when it matters (“Two Days of Darkness,” “Safe”).

Time to Stand contains fewer well-fitting Americana radio selections than Wanderin’, though “Safe” is a buried little gem and “Will This End in Tears” is served up on a classic family-style country buffet. Produced and engineered by veteran Bil Vorndick, Time to Stand is consistent and fun, and proves Belleville Outfit really does deserve the crown.