Album Review: In Due Time by Auburn Court
Man, oh man, if you’re a fan of raw, gritty rock with that bluesy edge, In Due Time by Auburn Court is gonna hit you right in the feels. Released back in 2003 (yeah, it’s almost vintage at this point), this album doesn’t try to be anything it’s not. It’s real, unpolished, and dripping with soul—like someone spilled their heart all over six tracks and called it music. And honestly? That’s what makes it stick.
Let’s talk about “Running In Fear” first because dang, this one grabs you by the collar from the get-go. Hannah Castellucio’s vocals are haunting but not in some cliché way—they feel personal, like she’s whispering secrets meant only for you. The guitar work from Sarah Dawn? Fire. Straight fire. There’s this moment where the twelve-string kicks in, and it’s like your brain goes, “Wait, what just happened?” You can tell these ladies weren’t messing around when they laid down these riffs. Oh, and don’t even get me started on Crystal Letterman’s drumming—it’s steady as hell, driving the whole thing forward like a beat-up truck refusing to quit. This track sticks with you because it feels alive, messy even, but in the best possible way.
Then there’s “Sweet Leaf.” No, it ain’t about weed—or maybe it is? Who knows, but the vibe is sweet yet kinda dark, like eating candy while sitting under a storm cloud. Candace Letterman’s bass lines here are sneaky-good; they slither through the mix and make everything feel heavier than you’d expect from a song with such a soft title. Plus, those backing vocals? Chills. Like, actual chills. It’s the kind of track that makes you wanna drive fast late at night with the windows down, pretending you’re starring in your own movie or something.
What gets me about In Due Time is how human it feels. These aren’t perfect studio recordings scrubbed clean of personality—they breathe, stumble, and roar like living things. The fact that it came out on an independent label just adds to its charm. It’s like finding a hidden gem in a thrift store bin: unexpected, rough around the edges, but worth every second once you give it a chance.
Here’s the kicker though—why isn’t this band bigger? Seriously. How does a group this talented fly under the radar? Maybe it’s because they didn’t have flashy marketing or big-name producers, but honestly? That might be why I love them so much. They let the music do the talking, no gimmicks needed.
So yeah, check out In Due Time if you haven’t already. Just don’t blame me if you end up blasting it on repeat and annoying your neighbors.
