Steve Von Till's third solo outing continues the Neurosis' singer/guitarist's allegiance to folk traditions of his prior albums, but A Grave Is A Grim Horse is a much more personal and confident effort.

Intertwined with interpretations of songs by Nick Drake, Townes Van Zandt, Mickey Newberry and Lyle Lovett, Von Till's powerful yet subtly graceful originals stand on par with these time-honored songwriters.

Songs like the title track and "Looking For Dry Land" show Von Till coming into his own as a composer and arranger, perfectly adorning infectious songs with flourishes of swooping strings, pedal steel, organ, et al.

Where his previous releases showed reverence for the past, A Grave Is A Grim Horse peers directly forward, seeing a path where others see fields.