Singer/ songwriter/ guitarist Chuck Melchin expresses loss, regret and some bitterness in this heartland roots-rock. The Boston-based band draws on the acoustic leanings of luminaries like John Mellencamp`s mid-80s bands or an early Jayhawks. A potlatch. is a highly complex ceremony that includes the celebration of births, rites of passages, weddings, funerals, puberty, and honoring of the deceased. Bean Pickers Union try to capture the nuances of this ceremony with a cohesive album that sets tone, works your emotions and provides redemption and a very satisfying conclusion. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (self-released)