When it came time to record its eighth album, Blue Highway decided to hunker down at storied Maggard Sound in Big Stone Gap, Va., hoping to conjure the magic that Ralph Stanley and others have made there. History will show the group made a fine decision. Self-penned and self-produced, the album builds on the band's already impressive résumé. Standouts include "Sycamore Hollow," a vocal and instrumental narrative of love and death set during the Civil War, and "Two Soldiers," a percipient look at the servicemen charged with notifying next of kin of the death of a loved one. "Homeless Man" is a stark reflection on a life lost. It's a testament to its immense talents and friendship that after 14 years together and various side projects, Blue Highway keeps creating music that connects and entertains. —Ken Tucker