Monsters Of Folk

Monsters of Folk is a mighty confident name, but when you break down the members of this foursome, the moniker is nothing but fitting. The monsters: My Morning Jacket's Jim James, She and Him's M. Ward, Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst and producer/multi-instrumentalist (guitar, mandolin, banjo, dulcimer, etc.) Mike Mogis. The folk: Not your granddad's one six-string and a banjo; it's lush and polished indie rock disguised under a folk supergroup veil -- a little like Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young or the Traveling Wilburys for the digital generation. It doesn't come as a surprise that these talents mesh so well, since they all turned to vintage inspirations in their other musical pursuits. Beyond the soothing harmonies and intricate string noodling is mutual respect -- and that's the spark that ignites the group's self-titled debut album, released in 2009.