The Ragbirds are heading to Austin, TX to their first showcase performance at SXSW. A band to watch in 2012, The Ragbirds just released their fourth studio release, Travelin' Machine, now available for review. Chock-full of radio-friendly material, Travelin’ Machine showcases The Ragbirds skills with adventurous lyrics and a unique blend of styles all the while pleasing the senses with a variety of world beats and rhythms in one cohesive package.

Travelin' Machine kicks off with the contagious opening track “Six Wheels” - an energetic song with Afro-Cuban rhythms and a frisky pop melody that manages to linger in your head all day long. The second track, “Following You” has obvious bluegrass influences with just a charming wink of country twang.

Sweeping throughout the album is a breezy quality that makes you feel like celebrating. Tracks like “Silence is Everywhere” and “Moribayassa (I’ll Fly Away)” highlight the percussive prowess of the group with layers of thick drums and sounds reminiscent of an African village. In “Learn to Shine” Zindle’s beautiful voice leads a soaring reprise you will want to hear while you’re driving towards a mountain sunset, while the lively Cajun-Zydeco-inspired “The Bully” seems straight out of the bayou. The bands diversity shines in the unique “Acrobats” – a Circus-waltz with haunting accordion undertones, while “Mercy of the Sea” is a rock Sea-Chanty with a classic swagger. All and all the album takes the listener on a great musical journey that is as inspiring as the world landscape from which it is drawn.

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