When Teenage Dixie was released over two years ago, many fans were left wondering if there could be any way this Alabama duo could outdo themselves with their next project. Teenage Dixie was packed to the brim of songs that showed every emotional side of the duo while also being a stepping stone into a style of songwriting that the duo wanted to pursue. The Coastal Plain is a glimpse into the southern landscape that Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton call home. Weaving real stories in and out of fictional characters was one of the key pillar for the structure for each song on this album.
Clocking in at 14 tracks and under 40 minutes, this album feels like a very tight collection of songs that consistently keeps the listener engaged. Lately, a lot of LPs in country music have felt like playlists of songs that artists felt were of a certain standard to release, lacking any sort of thematic cohesion. In contrast, none of the songs on this record feel artistically restricted in any way, but each track feels relatively on-brand with the concept of the record, with nothing feeling like an outlier. Without being a full-blown concept record, this album carries a heavy coming-of-age and self discovery theme. Telling stories of failed relationships, shenanigans, a desire for belonging, each track on this record has a specific purpose.
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For much of their career, the creative team behind Muscadine Bloodline has been a tight-knit circle with Muncaster, Stanton, and Ryan Youmans, with this album being no exception. Looking back on past projects and comparing them to this, listeners can track how their sound has evolved over time and become more refined with each passing album. Having recorded the album with their touring band, fans have been able to identify a more solid sound between the album and their live shows.
For some time, Muncaster and Stanton have been outspoken about the influence bands like Turnpike Troubadours have had on their music. This album featured their first fiddle in their catalog and invited the legendary Kyle Nix to perform on the song. “Tickets To Turnpike” celebrates the iconic band and showcases the world-building inspired by Turnpike frontman Evan Felker, a genre hallmark.
Tracks like “Earle Byrd From Mexia” and “Airport & McGregor” are examples of the world-building that Muncaster and Stanton worked on developing for this album. They both tell stories developed around true stories but told through a semi-fictional lens so that a wider audience can understand them. “Airport & McGregor” is a slow-burning tale about returning home and returning to specific spots in someone’s hometown with particular sentimental value. As the narrator talks about the specific location, a floodgate of emotions is opened up, reminiscing about the missed opportunities of pursuing a relationship.
A lot of the songs on this project have the same high-octane energy that was first fostered on Teenage Dixie. “Rattlesnake Ridge” is a barn-burner that sees them rapidly weaving in and out of each line, as the title implies. Previously released as a single, “Weyerhaeuser Land” is another phenomenal tune with a hook that is sure to become one of the catchier tracks off the album.
With four full-length projects now to their name, Muscadine Bloodline has kept its foot on the gas with focused, inspired songwriting, especially since Teenage Dixie. Each song serves a different purpose, telling a never-before-heard story from their lives. From top to bottom, The Coastal Plain is an energetic and thought-provoking listen with tracks for everyone to enjoy. Looking towards their fifth album, expectations for the band are now through the roof. Now that they’ve been able to develop a whole world within their music fans should be eager to learn more about the various characters in their songs.
