Album Review – Sierra Ferrell’s “Trail of Flowers”

If you follow certain primrose paths deep into the enchanted forest, or discover a portal to the past through an antique wardrobe in a house overgrown with vines, or forage on certain mushrooms growing out from the trunks of giant trees, you might stumble upon the realm of Sierra Ferrell.
It’s a world of gingerbread cottages with round doors, fairy tale meadows of singing birds and talking flowers, and creatures of mirth that speak in limericks. It’s beautiful place for sure, yet beguiling and potentially dangerous, leading some who don’t heed the wisdom and warning of the stories told there to their ultimate doom.
Similar to Colter Wall, Sierra Ferrell has taken entirely outmoded and archaic music, and through her weaving of magic, made it more wildly popular and appealing than anyone would ever have imagined it could be in the modern era. It’s through this work that Ferrell was named the Saving Country Music Artist of the Year in 2023. Another reason is the other-worldly magic she sows on the stage, and often simply with an acoustic guitar and light accompaniment.
Sierra Ferrell’s music affords the audience the ability to suspend disbelief, and be ferried to somewhere faraway from the cold slab of modern existence. Trail of Flowers has many of these dreamy, acoustic moments, but it’s also an opportunity for Sierra Ferrell to explore other audio textures and influences she’s not able to actualize on the road. It also gives her the ability to express herself in ways that are just as important for unburdening her soul as they are to entertaining the audience.

To call Sierra Ferrell a singer/songwriter almost seems like a reduction of her powers. Her music and presentation is much more imaginative and indefinable than that. But the opening song of the new album called “American Dreaming” explores Sierra’s ability to craft a compelling song from her own personal experiences as opposed to the more ethereal inspirations she normally pulls from.
As a hard touring musician, “American Dreaming” speaks to some of the more difficult moments she’s experienced now that she’s been set on the path to stardom. Like so many of us, sometimes chasing a dream gets in the way of more fundamentally important things like friendships, love, and well-being, necessitating a pause.
Trail of Flowers also includes a couple of tracks that are more country and honky tonk in nature. “Why Haven’t You Love Me Yet” is a song you could imagine hearing bark out the front door whenever anyone exits the American Legion Post 82 in Nashville. Similarly, “Dollar Bill Bar” has an almost delightfully simple story to it about a type of bar we’ve all been to at one point, even if at the heart of the song is a cautionary tale of impending heartbreak.
Where Sierra really shows off her ability to write a song is “Wish You Well.” Perhaps the hidden gem of Trail of Flowers, it conveys the truth that the easiest path to overcoming heartbreak is not revenge, avoidance, distraction, or even time, but forgiveness. It’s the poetic and compelling ways Ferrell conveys this fact that makes you actually listen and heed this adage as opposed to just hear it.
However, like the album title and imagery insinuates, an interplay of nature and humanity is fundamental to Trail of Flowers. Well before the release of the album, the fiddle reel “Fox Hunt” had already become a fundamental part of the Sierra Ferrell presentation. “Rosemary” is a playful tale that turns into a murder ballad, and one that long-time Ferrell fans will already be familiar with.

Though Sierra explores a host of realms on this album, it’s still fundamentally the old-time influence that prevails. Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith’s song “Chittlin’ Cookin’ Time in Cheatham County” comes alive anew from the lungs of Sierra Ferrell. “I Can Drive You Crazy” comes across as a little tedious at first, but the old-time instrumentation hanging right on the melody, and Sierra’s always-enthralling “oohs!” ultimately endear the composition to your heart.
The truth is that Sierra Ferrell’s live presentation sets such high expectations, they will never be met by the restrictions of studio recordings. The whimsy and improvisation at the heart of her approach to music is just impossible to capture in the recorded context. Similar to Billy Strings, it’s something that must be experienced live to full appreciate. That’s not a criticism of Trail of Flowers. That’s the breathtaking reality of when you behold Sierra Ferrell in the flesh.
But as a home companion and music you can take with you to escape mundanity, Sierra Ferrell’s Trail of Flowers is more than capable, and a hell of a lot more accessible than enchanted forest meadows, Hansel and Gretel cottages, and psychedelics. It’s nonetheless a dose of the surreal that helps get you through a reality than seems more unreal by the day.
8.2/10
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Purchase from Rounder Records
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March 22, 2024 @ 8:58 am
I’ve been impressed with the way she’s worked new recordings of earlier songs into the last two albums. It goes a long way towards making the new records feel instantly familiar and she’s managed to do it without feeling like she’s just rehashing or recycling earlier work.
It’s a really nice record.
March 22, 2024 @ 9:15 am
I’m a huge Sierra fan and agree that recordings doesn’t do the whole enigma of seeing her live justice, but it’s going to be hard for other albums this year to live up to this one for me. There was high expectations of what this record should be and she at the least met them but honestly probably exceeded them.
March 22, 2024 @ 9:36 am
Excellent writing, Trig. Sierra Ferrell is a vexing artist for even the most qualified, experienced raconteurs to summarize.
I would venture to say that Sierra Ferrell is one of the realest, most genre-defiant artists in the business.
There are artists who criticize genre because ‘genre’ demands texture and definition.
A bowl of rice alone isn’t indian food, chinese food, or japanese food. it’s just rice.
Some artists (Cough various pop country acts over the last decade saying genre is dead) try to thrive in this genreless culinary wasteland by assuming the presence of the single lowest common denominator (the rice) will lead to acceptance by all cultures that consume rice
Exactly the opposite is true. the absence of any texture causes all cultures to reject the rice.
this is why artists in the country space making genreless music are often unable to crossover to pop and uninteresting in country.
And i know, i know. another Fuzzy food example. i love food. i worked in food for years. food analogies are some of the easiest to understand, i find.
Sierra Ferrell is genre defiant not because of the absence of the toppings that would separate Pho from Ramen, in the assumption that the rice would be sufficient for the fans of both, when in actuality no one will eat a mere bowl of rice, no matter how many times the chef insists that genre is dead.
Sierra Ferrell is genre defiant on the other end of the spectrum.
I will say it thusly: I don’t believe any restaurant will serve eggs benedict, stuffed mushrooms and lamb on naan with tzatziki sauce, with sassafras to drink and a bowl of vegetable posole, as a special any night of the week.
It’s too abstract, and probably impossible to pair a wine with.
True genre defiant artists, like Sierra Ferrell, are hard to appreciate by fans of a specific style. that is to say, someone who liked mediterannean food might love lamb and naan, even tolerate stuffed mushrooms, but probably doesn’t like cold sasafrass to drink.
Someone who loves sassafrass might be a hard sell for mediterannean food.
true genre defiant artistry isn’t removing all the parts that might alienate fans, but adding so many seemingly dissimilar elements that it DOES alienate fans who struggle with certain elements of the art.
True artistry, in this form, DEMANDS the alienation of fans who aren’t able to appreciate it, in the same way a greek restaurant probably doesn’t care if people who want mexican food love the menu options or don’t.
We could say that Sierra Ferrell’s art is more similar to… the osborne brothers than luther vanross… But… Loreena McKinnett is probably more similar to the osborne brothers than luther vandross.
But just because a tri-wing screwdriver and a nail gun are both not edible doesn’t mean you can use them interchangeably.
March 22, 2024 @ 10:30 am
sounds like someone has never seen the insanity of a cheesecake factory menu! Joke aside – interesting comment. Appreciate the POV.
March 22, 2024 @ 12:22 pm
perfect and now i’m hungry
March 26, 2024 @ 4:36 pm
Honestly great comment, but some of your analogies bug the shit out of me, this is me picking the tiniest of nits, but I need to comment on two analogies. While pho does in fact have rice noodles, ramen has wheat noodles; neither have standard unprocessed rice in them. Also, basically no one drinks cold sassafras, especially after the safrole ban and the subsequent change to root beer formulas. I think you meant cold sarsaparilla.
Seriously, great comment and you did a good job describing her art. Those two just stood out to me and were bugging me.
March 22, 2024 @ 10:12 am
It’s only March, but so far this is my top album of the year. “Chitlin’ Cookin’ Time” is the one that’s been stuck in my head all day, but “Dollar Bill Bar” was stuck there for weeks after she released it and “Fox Hunt” before that. There isn’t a bad song on the album.
March 22, 2024 @ 10:46 am
I listened to the new album and then 10 minutes later bought my daughter and I tickets to see her at Massey Hall in September 🙂
March 22, 2024 @ 10:48 am
We all struggle to identify precisely what Sierra Ferrell is doing, in terms of descriptors and categories. To me , she is the sum of many antiquated musical styles, all rolled into one. You can hardly call her a honky- tonk artist, or for that matter a mountain music or bluegrass purist. And while we are at it, is she a cabaret jazz singer from the 30s? The answer is, she is all of it. Absolutely all of that and more. I really try not to use the phrase genius often, as it is so overused, particularly in music reviews and as such it loses its edge as a word. I will make an exception here. This gal is a musical genius, in fact that’s as true a statement as an honest man can make.
Whether or not you like the packaging she comes with, the bizarre costumes, the stoner elements, the train- hopping, homeless busking background, and so- on, you’ve gotta admit , that she is on a level musically that most can only dream of. The way she bends and shapes her vocal notes, uses melody, interprets styles, and transitions between instruments and vocal with such apparent naturalness and ease, it literally bucks all the pre- conceived notions of what the musical rules are supposed to be. In a word and I mean this in the most sincere of compliments, what Sierra Ferrell does is breath-taking. That is all.
March 22, 2024 @ 11:16 am
Saw her Wed night at the Ryman and can’t say enough good things about her singing, the band and atmosphere. The ghosts of Patsy Cline and Hank Williams were on hand for it I’m sure.
March 22, 2024 @ 12:55 pm
I was at The Ryman for the first time on Wednesday night too! It felt like something really special. Sierra’s first time headlining the venue as well. The place went off to Fox Hunt and hearing all her other stuff was great but that Brooks & Dunn cover really got me at the end.
March 22, 2024 @ 11:00 am
Good stuff. I was just BLOWN AWAY by Taylor Hunnicut’s amazing southern rock/outlaw country album and there are a few other releases out today or next Friday by interesting female singers. It’s a good month for releases by good singers with very different styles, none of them stereotypical of any one type of country.
March 22, 2024 @ 11:06 am
With 100% due respect and not as any sort of criticism of this review, all I’ll say is, if that Luke Grimes album is an 8.1, then this Sierra Ferrell album absolutely has to be above a 9.0. The Luke Grimes is a nice album and I take nothing away from it here, but it’s pretty basic and just nice, with a couple of tracks I wanted to skip. This Sierra Ferrell album feels to me to be of the masterpiece level top to bottom and there’s nothing ordinary about it. I guess I think Luke’s album should be more like a 7.4 (maybe still generous) and I’d still say Sierra’s should be a 9.1. It’s a very early candidate for AOTY. I’d also give the new Cody Jinks an easy 8.7…it’s fantastic.
March 22, 2024 @ 9:53 pm
All comments like this do is make me want to make my grades more obtuse and confounding. Albums are not meant to be compared side by side due to grades. This is not a skills competition. As I always say, it’s the body of the review itself that matters.
March 22, 2024 @ 11:13 am
To follow up Billy Strings posted this morning about how he met Sierra. To sum it up it was 7 years ago and after a show she came up to him looking lke Minnie Pearl in a bonnett and big dress and introduced herself, said that she was going to make a name for herself and they were going to play together. Fast forward 5 years later and he was working on a song with her.
March 22, 2024 @ 11:13 am
She feels like a country/roots version of Florence Welch? Not sure if that comparison hits for anyone else
March 22, 2024 @ 11:27 am
Everything people have said is true. Seeing her again a few weeks ago just reinforced how good she is.
March 22, 2024 @ 12:25 pm
After my first listen through the album… I love it. She has an enchanting sound that is so unique… Unlike anything I’ve heard from ANY era or genre of music. All while still feeling genuine. I’ve been a big fan of Eddie Spear’s production work over recent years and love the Ferrell/Spear collaboration on this album. I think Sierra will go down as one of the greats.
March 22, 2024 @ 12:26 pm
I guess I need to see her live, because this record did nothing for me other than to make me want to turn it off.
March 22, 2024 @ 3:50 pm
I feel the same way. I want to get the hype, but I personally don’t. Same with Charley Crockett (& I’ve seen him live.) He seemed kinda fake in his performance, & the songs all sounded similar. Just my two cents–I know they both have a growing fan base, & I respect both artists as talented musicians & entertainers.
I listened to this whole album, no skips, & it just didn’t do anything for me. I did really enjoy “Wish You Well,” but the rest of the album didn’t stick out to me personally. It’s not one I’ll have on repeat. Honestly, (might get some hate for this) but a few of Kacey Musgraves’ new songs stuck out more to me lyrically (even though the production isn’t great & it’s sadly not country)–“Dinner with Friends” is one I’ve repeated more than once. Anyways, thanks for sharing your opinion! I thought I must be crazy cause everyone loves Sierra Ferrell (& rightly so), but it’s not for everyone.
March 22, 2024 @ 1:15 pm
Janis + Dolly = Sierra
March 26, 2024 @ 8:56 am
You’re not far off, IMO. Just saw her do a Me & Bobby McGee that brought chills.
March 22, 2024 @ 1:25 pm
Had the pleasure of catching Sierra on the rise in Portland in ‘22: https://youtu.be/Wti-N3Q0ZSc?si=A7v0UE__RIJCr5Hr
And again last year at Gruene Hall in Texas: https://youtu.be/AlezcLFxLhA?si=QLM2pc430KbwcOvT
Highly recommend catching her this summer as she’s out on the road again. I’ll be seeing her in the park downtown Portland outdoors.
March 22, 2024 @ 2:57 pm
After two years of Sierra Ferrell my friends have FINALLY caught on, but they are telling me that I pronounce her name wrong? I’m saying it like “FAIR el” and they are saying it like “feral” like the actor Will. I’m trying to describe the difference between pronouncing it with an accent on the first syllable and pronouncing both syllables the same.
My girlfriend swears that Nick Shoulders pronounced it “FAIR el” last night, but I can’t remember…
Does anyone know?
March 22, 2024 @ 5:27 pm
She–Sierra Ferrell–places the accent on the first syllable; FAIR-uhl.
March 22, 2024 @ 7:29 pm
I need to listen to this. I didn’t care for fox hunt but I kind of like American dreaming. Will have to hear the other stuff before full judgement. I think a lot of her stuff is going to be hit n miss for me. Im not big on artist being a smorgasbord of different styles on the same album. But I like her energy
March 22, 2024 @ 8:59 pm
We already have here the Best Album of 2024 and we were at the best show of 2024 Wed night at The Ryman with Nikki’s Lane’s great set (best I’ve ever seen or heard from her) and Sierra’s epic show. Stardom awaits this young lady.
March 22, 2024 @ 10:55 pm
This album is excellent. A nice milestone for her. Might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Even so, can’t deny the talent. I think she is going to be just fine with her career from now on.
March 23, 2024 @ 2:30 am
i loved the first album and was ready to be disappointed but i was actually blown away. Writing, delivery, musicianship everything is top notch here.
I don’t even care for all the visual aspects , this is just great music.
March 23, 2024 @ 5:58 am
Some beautifully evocative writing right their Trig, you managed to conjure a badger attired in dungarees chugging on polychrome bong into my peripheral vision.
The music itself is wonderfully archaic; now you’ve seeded the image and idea, it’ll be difficult to listen to and not take the astral barge to yonder realms. Dante had his Virgil and it sounds like we have a Sierra Ferrel.
March 23, 2024 @ 6:29 am
I’m really enjoying this album so far. It’s her best yet in my opinion, and I love the addition of some traditional country here. Her voice has got to be among the best in Americana/Country. Sierra is a bright star of music and personality that is hard not to love. I’m hoping to catch her and her new songs live at some point.
It’s also good to see Sierra back to her fun and goofy ways online after her short break. She appears to be in good spirits, and this gem of a new album has to make her proud. Hopefully this album is the launching point of a long, healthy, and rewarding career for Sierra and her fans.
March 23, 2024 @ 9:00 am
Great Orlando Furioso cosplay. Seriously.
March 23, 2024 @ 9:19 am
CountryKnight,
As I’ve said many, many times, your fly-by-night quips are not helpful, fruitful, or even really funny. They contribute nothing. Actually take the time to offer something of value, even if it’s critical, or just stop it.
March 25, 2024 @ 8:53 am
It was a compliment to her. Orlando Furioso is a masterpiece of chivalric literature.
March 24, 2024 @ 10:58 am
She is unique and Kevin Smith in his comments above sums her up well. She is unique and this is a great album and a great follow up to her last one.
March 24, 2024 @ 11:38 am
Ferrell is just outside the tent of camp. Sometimes she opens the flap and makes me roll my eyes, and sometimes she stays outside and delivers something with the durability of a well-made antique chair. “Wish You Well” is one of the latter. Strong hook and melody, confident lyric, and no jazz hands with the delivery. Good work. Might pick this up.
March 24, 2024 @ 12:56 pm
Wow! Wish You Well is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard in a while.
March 24, 2024 @ 6:06 pm
This might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it sure is mine. Although I love blue-grass, old-time, folk, country, and honky tonk and this is the perfect blend of all of it. I absolutely love the instrumentals and the way the album progresses. It’s a 10/10 for me especially Fox Hunt
March 26, 2024 @ 9:34 am
…”he wasn’t built for rain…” – simply delightful. i’ll probably never be a big fan of her voice, but her music is quite something and they seem a pretty good fit all in all.
March 26, 2024 @ 2:06 pm
This album sounds very similar to songs by Resonant Rogues.
March 27, 2024 @ 8:46 am
I hoped Sierra would re-record “I’ll Come Off the Mountain”– and there it is on Trail of Tears.
The variety of sound textures on this album make it intensely listenable in sequence. “Made for Rain” is a treat.
March 27, 2024 @ 9:44 pm
A very interesting artist with a slightly off-centre image, if the photos and album cover are to be believed. Can’t argue about the songs though. Very good!
March 28, 2024 @ 6:10 am
…after further consumption and consideration, i upgrade my view on this album to: album of the year contender – and not a weak one. that thing grows faster on you than the grass in the garden in a moist April.
April 11, 2024 @ 7:34 am
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Sierra is a once in a generation talent – particularly her vocal talent. Much like Colter Wall, a person like Sierra doesn’t come around too damn often. I feel like she is the Dolly of our time. Lots of great textures on this album which I always appreciate. One thing that caught my ear right away that I haven’t heard anyone talk about yet is how much Tom Waits influence is in “Chittlin’ Cookin’.” Listen to Tom’s song “Chocolate Jesus” and then listen to “Chittlin’ Cookin’.” A big nod to Waits.
May 3, 2024 @ 1:39 pm
Great album! “Wish you well” has to be a contender for SOTY, such a well-written song!