Above the Prairie arrives like a harvest moon over the Great Plains, a sonic palette stretching from the hard ground to the bright stars. The follow-up to 2012 s critically-acclaimed Dark So Gold, the album's distinctly Midwestern texture and song sensibility present 10 new originals exhibiting the lyrical richness, sweeping instrumentals, and darkly beautiful collaborations that have won the band fans worldwide. Recorded in Iowa and St. Paul, MN, Above the Prairie explores the space between the vastness of the plains and the interstellar world, exploring the isolated farms and small towns of the prairie and the dignity of those who choose to remain. A highlight is a haunting guest appearance by Native American legend John Trudell. Written and recorded in a matter of weeks, Above the Prairie is a journey from the Aerial Ocean to the hidden places. Where Something Wild Still Grows, from Villisca and Lost Nation all the way to Sleepy Hollow. With a beauty equally ominous and tender, The Pines have provided a sonic backdrop to the thin veil that separates our home on the land and our home in the cosmos.