As already exhibited on last year’s excellent LP Fools to Stay, this is a sextet whose mission statement is to break down true bluegrass, folk, old-timey music and classic C&W and then reassemble the pieces into a new kind of real-yet-radio-friendly country that makes clichés weep and tradition bleed. The formula isn’t quite perfected on their second full-length album, but guided by some hot picking and the vocal double-team of Jon Skvarka and Fefe Byram, they at least manage to map out the game plan. The first half or so of these 10 originals amounts to a hagiography of sorts for the common man, at least the rural one: “Creole Gypsy,” “Pleasant Grove” and “Banks of Beaver Creek” feel so dewy in their back-to-the-land warmth that you almost want to adjust the humidity of their sunrises, with only Fefe’s surprising blues in “Hold On to That Light” suggesting any kind of life outside the farm.

But then their sense of popcraft kicks in, and so does their ambition. Every time Skvarka passes that minor key on “Passing Through Tuesday” he collects $200 and the kind of regret Don Henley cornered the market in long ago. “Feel the Need” lets Fefe stalk like an obsessed coffeehouse barista, “Homecoming” bounces with Natalie Merchant earth-mother overtones, and the closing “Live ‘Til Your Love Shows” is James Taylor’s ticket to New Country Grammy gold. Cynical? It doesn’t come off that way—both sides of this group are absolutely genuine, and absolutely gorgeous. Still a little hard to know who we’re sharing that first cup of coffee with, though… It’s hard to leave, but it might be time to at least try.