Hollis Brown/The Bottom Dollars/The Suede Brothers

In the Bob Dylan song “Ballad Of Hollis Brown,” a South Dakota farmer is so distraught with the prospect of debilitating poverty that he murders his wife, children and finally himself. Hopefully the band, presumably named after the iconic song, won’t commit the same act of aggression. This stripped down four-piece Americana group mixes country and rock to create catchy rhythms backed by heart-warming lyrics about friendship and travel. Hollis Brown’s full-length debut Ride On The Train is a refreshing throwback to classic rock riffs with a modern twist. The title track plays like a typical Mumford and Sons or Lumineers hit single but the album turns blues- and rock-oriented as it goes on. “Doghouse Blues” and “Hey Baby” are straight blues tunes and effectively use silent moments and changes in dynamics to draw the listener in throughout the whole song. Hollis Brown may be from New York, but they’re an Appalachian rock band at heart. (William Hoffman)