The Review Site - Songlines

Relevant Information: ASIN: B000E1JOQ6 - Derek Trucks (guitar), Todd Smallie (bass), Kofi Burbridge (keyboard & flute), Yonrico Scott (drums), Count M'Butu (percussion), Mike Mattison (lead vocals)
Brief summary of the item: The fifth studio album by The Derek Trucks Band (dTb), Songlines provides a mixture of blues, rock, soul, and world fusion music.
Good Points: With this album, dTb gels into a complete band, after finding a permanent vocalist (Mike Mattison) a few years prior, and the album reflects that completion. The album is much less of a guitarist's album than dTb's prior releases, and the whole band "fits" together better than ever before.
Bad Points: Listeners looking for another album that simply shows off the impressive skills of a guitar prodigy may be disappointed. The guitar work is fabulous, but it's now part of a cohesive whole, instead of the clear and ever-present centerpiece. Listeners looking for a straight blues album like the band's first few releases ("The Derek Trucks Band" and "Out of the Madness") will likewise be disappointed that the band has broadened their horizons so, and doesn't stick to any one genre.
General Comments: Much like their prior two albums ("Joyful Noise" and "Soul Serenade"), this one covers a broad range of music, making it hard to pin this band down in any genre. For the most part, the previous albums have been Derek Trucks (oh yeah, with a band) albums. Since he's an absolutely phenomenal guitarist, that was never seen as a bad thing. This, however, is truly a Derek Trucks BAND album, and it's an excellent album at that. Although I miss the great guitar solos, everyone in the band is exceptional at what they do.

Still, for a truly transcendent experience, go see this band live. The feeling and power of the music, like with most great bands, comes across much more powerfully when these guys are playing live, in front of an audience.