The Healers Prescribe a Second Dose of Heartfelt on 'Healers 2'

Few songwriters get to revive a band they first assembled in the 1990s, and fewer still make it sound this fresh. Peter Hutchison does exactly that with Healers 2, the second album from The Healers. The songs mix Americana, folk, country, and Celtic touches, and they sound at home in any decade. Moreover, the band plays with the ease of people who truly enjoy each other’s company.

Peter Hutchison has made music for decades, and Healers 2 marks his tenth full-length album. Fans may know him from Empire of Light and Subduing Mara. The Healers began as an acoustic-based ensemble in the 1990s, and he revived the name with a new lineup of Brooklyn, NY players. That revival paid off with a breakthrough debut, which we praised in our earlier coverage of The Healers. The debut reached the Top 15 on the Relix chart and also landed on Alt-Country and Americana Music Association album charts. Together, Peter Hutchison and the all-star Brooklyn group return for round two. Rod Hohl produced the sessions, while Konrad Meissner handles drums and Luke Bergman plays pedal steel. Minnie Jordan adds fiddle, while Kara Suzanne, Brian Wilkens, and Bruce Martin round out the lineup. Peter Hutchison wrote the songs and arranged them with Rod Hohl, and the band recorded at Studio K and Grand Street Recording in Brooklyn. Influences include the Band, the Jayhawks, the Waterboys, Wilco, and Whiskeytown, and the warm, roots-minded sound fits that company.

Warmth and grace set the tone on “Trying To Get Back To You,” the album opener. The country-tinged Americana sound settles in right away, and the vocals feel true, with emotions woven through every line. The instruments blend so smoothly that they fill the full sonic space without crowding each other. As a result, the production sounds great from the very first minute.

“Some Nights” by The Healers (ft Peter Hutchison)

Next comes the lead single, “Some Nights,” which adds a little more rock with a big, steady drum beat from Konrad Meissner. The pedal steel slides in behind the drums and lays the foundation for the song. The vocals carry even more emotion about finding the way back to a lover. Meanwhile, the soaring background singers in the chorus invite everyone to join in. That single sets the compass for an album that embraces life’s fractures and its lasting capacity for grace. Pedal steel fans will find similar comfort in the cosmic country of former favorite Miles From Nowhere by American Cosmic Revival.

The pace picks up on “Everybody’s Broken,” which brings a down-home country feel. Great picked guitar and mandolin add to that front-porch vibe. The energy shines through, and the happy tone gives listeners a chance to rise above the broken.

Then “Why You Still Burn” opens with an interesting drumbeat that sets another quick pace. Sweet vocals and pedal steel contrast that power, and the pieces mesh perfectly. It is a beat that gets your toes tapping, paired with soulful sounds that get your mind thinking. “The Road” keeps the speed rolling as the drums set the tempo again. A rising vocal style draws the listener in until you become part of the song. Consequently, it is another toe tapper.

The album settles into full campfire mode on the closer “One More Time With Feeling.” Without drums, it is minimalistic, yet the acoustic guitar and vocal delivery bring real comfort. Listening feels like sitting in the same circle as the band while everyone enjoys each other’s company. It is also the shortest song on the record, so it leaves us wanting more.

Overall, Healers 2 is a heartfelt, beautifully played album that rewards repeat listens and leaves us truly eager for whatever Peter Hutchison does next.