Wye Oak

Baltimore indie-folk duo Wye Oak is a blend of Southern culture and Northern sensibilities—and its sound is surprisingly self-assured. It helps that the band gets better with each subsequent release: The new Civilian is Wye Oak’s best album yet, enlivening the full-bodied swoon of 2009’s The Knot with achingly beautiful melodies and a refined sense of attack and sustain. And just as they find steady footing straddling the Mason-Dixon, Andy Stack and Jenn Wasner capably bridge indie and classic rock, letting a circular, Modest Mouse-esque riff get trampled underfoot by Stacks’ inner John Bonham on standout “Dogs Eyes.”

Updated 03/09/2011