PRESS
“Tar & Flowers’ poetic stories and engaging musical compositions grow more refined with each release, and showcase a genuine desire to connect with listeners.”
"I can ride my Harley and listen to this music."
- Random Caller named Crab on Stay Or Go, 95.5 KLOS (Mar 31, 2023)
“Bailey Blue” is a beautiful acoustic ballad. The finger-picked melody is spectacularly emotive; there’s rawness to spaciousness in songs such as this one. It gives room for individual aspects of Hungerford’s musical talent to truly shine. His tender vocals carry such power — there’s a real depth to them that might not always be noticed on some of the louder, multi-layered songs on this electrifying output. And it leads into the outstanding outro “Home.” That’s exactly what comes to mind with each of those bluesy guitar twangs and the astoundingly atmospheric string swells. I picture a lonely southern ranch as Hungerford unleashes stunning vocal croons over ceaselessly switching-up acoustic melodies. Fantastic closer.”
“Their music is basically in the folk and country realm, but sometimes with a haunting, ethereal and timeless quality that nevertheless works to make the listener feel better about life, because it immediately lifts us from the quagmire, from the chaos, and in effect obliterates ugliness.”
"A thoughtful folk song that summons the living spirit of Bob Dylan in its eloquence and elevated writing."
“Tar and Flowers' frontman Taylor Hungerford is no stranger to the honky-tonk lifestyle. Growing up on mountainside property owned by Roy Rodgers and working as a ranch hand on a Colorado farm after college, Hungerford has had folk and roots music embedded into his blood and bones. Our latest guest blog post features Hungerford's opinion on the changing world of Americana music and pays homage to pivotal songwriters within the genre.”
“To be honest, I did not think I would enjoy the album as much as I did considering I’m not a huge fan of country music. Tar and Flowers definitely have country qualities but do not reside solely in that genre. I’d recommend that anyone who enjoys story telling songs with a heavy acoustic influence listen to 'Indian Summer.'”
“Ten Ton Heart by Tar & Flowers out of Chatsworth, California has a wanderlust beat and folk country melodies. I thought of Beachwood Sparks, The Band and even Kris Kristofferson.”
“It’s laid back, evocative, blending acoustic and electric instrumentation. Plenty of strum and twang behind the strong storytelling."”
“It's a short listen, but it's a very full album.”
“Flecks of guitar barrel down the canyon, and Tar & Flowers, a western outfit out of Los Angeles, are situated atop a great white stallion. Their stature is as towering as John Wayne riding into town, and “Rumor,” off their new album, Indian Summer, is as ghostly as it is encased in the earth’s crust.”
“You can’t avoid [Ten Ton Heart]. It digs deep into your ‘country’ habits you never thought you had.”
“Songs such as 'Ten Ton Heart,' are reminiscent of older groups such as The Byrds and Gram Parsons, giving Tar & Flowers a sense of timelessness.”
'Lost' begins with a soothing and folky acoustic guitar with a fluttering style. The instrumentation blends several styles and feelings into one completely realized idea, giving the song its own unique individual personality.”
"This one is worth the effort. We recommend you grab it for your collection."
"Indian Summer opens with the dealings of “Danny”, draws Country Folk on the L.A.County line in “The Lovin’ Kind”, and layers instrumentation that surrounds the dreamscape story of “August” as Tar and Flowers quietly revs “This Machine” with fingerpicking and sings of “Summer at Michael’s House” backed by ghostly handclaps and determined rhythms."