Blitzen Trapper: Wolves in Dylan's Clothing

From the poetic, emotive writing to the vocal delivery and phrasing, Blitzen Trapper's "Destroyer of the Void" has their influence plastered from floor-boards to crown moulding. I mean, the first line on the title track/album opener goes something like "Here's to the lone and wayward son, for to love is to live for to roll like a rolling stone." The album is cohesive and clear in a way that dear Bob may no longer have the the brain cells or vocal cords to pull off.

Blitzen Trapper hail from Portland, OR and are signed to Sub Pop, but Southern- and folk-rock are what these guys are all about on this album. Evoking the sounds of the Grateful Dead and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, lots of vocal harmonizing and a healthy dose of guitar combine with tight production to create a decidedly retro-sounding album.

Standout tracks are found mid-album in "Love and Hate" and "Heaven and Earth." While the listener's brain gets lulled into a steady, twangy groove, "Love and Hate" opens with a heavy riff that commands the body's attention just like a nice guitar line should. And while they've got your ears, the band continues with the beautiful piano ballad "Heaven and Earth." Singer/songwriter/guitarist Eric Early's writing style is put on exhibition nicely here: all melancholy and oblique, the song begs a second listen as soon as it's over.

Consistency is king on "Destroyer of the Void;" the album is a smooth listen, the caveat being exactly that: tracks tend to pile together without much differentiation.

Listen below through NPR before the album's release June 8: