All the band members had a hand in writing the songs for So Far which gives the band a versatile and interesting sound. A blend of live cuts and studio songs raises the energy level and makes this truly a full band effort. The first song , Wrong Road, is a live cut penned by all the band members and showcases Laura’s powerful voice. Foster’s dirty lead guitar is a highlight of Sun Burning Down, a Laura Monk song. A favorite of mine is Little Lies. Rich with harmony, it’s a ballad written by John and Laura Monk. Engeman’s song, Heaven Bound is another strong effort that features Laura’s strong vocal. Dan Foster contributes several songs, most notably Saluda Grade, in which he grabs lead vocal in another performance recorded live. The final song, Untitled, is an excellent effort from John and Laura Monk and probably my favorite on the CD.

So Far features strong, versatile songwriting, energetic performances, and a tight band feel that sets it apart from less cohesive bands. It’s all tied together by Laura’s memorable vocals and some sweet harmonies. This is Laura Monk and High Cotton so far. It will be interesting to see where they go from here.