Runaway Dorothy is an Americana quartet based out of Brooklyn, New York, arguably the least of places you'd expect to find any remnants of Americana. But if you agree with the Americana Music Association's definition of Americana as "contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B and blues, resulting in a distinctive roots-oriented sound," then Runaway Dorothy is a band deeply rooted in the Americana genre.

Though "The Wait," which released today, is the band's second album, it's the first featuring the band current lineup. Believe it or not, the band's first album "The Arc" was recorded by band founder Dave Parnell in Springfield, Missouri before he sought out a band. "The Wait" plucks from bluegrass, rock, country the most, but ultimately settles into an unadorned amalgamation that sounds familiar, and comforting. With each song, the album fluctuates between sounding like a good night lullaby ("Want It All," "Blue Kentucky Rain") and a '90s alt-country midtempo ("Background"). Underlying it all, however, are hints of a sweet-as-honey recollection of better times, manifested by a steady drum beat, a restrained stringed instrument, and an easy vocal.

"The Wait" is ultimately a feel good album, brighter in places and more melancholy in others, but essentially a collection of songs that conjures memories of American summers and a welcome nostalgia.


Photo: Runaway Dorothy's Facebook page