The Builders and the Butchers – ‘The Spark’ (album stream) (premiere)

Folk rock band the Builders and the Butchers spent 2007-2012 touring heavily and they built a stellar reputation as high-energy, consummate live performers, playing festivals like Sasquatch and Lollapalooza. Since then the group has been slowly crafting a new set of songs, with their latest album taking five years to write as the members carefully labored over the material. Now, at last, the world gets a new Builders and the Butchers LP this Friday entitled The Spark.

Many tracks stem from classic folk music where you can hear echoes of Arlo Guthrie, Bob Dylan, and other classic folkies, but the band doses their folk rock with a sense of urgency through energetic performances that draw from punk rock roots. “Older Than Sin” is a punchy, charging, punk-inflected rock tune, where “Let It Shine” is a gorgeous folk number that you might be inclined to sing around a fire with a bunch of friends and family. The Builders and the Butchers’ versatility is impressive and The Spark couldn’t be more aptly named as all of these songs crackle with energy and sublime musicianship. The Spark is one of the best folk rock, indie folk records of the year so far.

The Spark releases May 19th via Badman Recordings Co. and is available for pre-order.