Twice Told Tales

Twice Told Tales, released in 2015, represents a unique chapter in the 10,000 Maniacs discography. It is a full-length exploration of traditional folk music from the British Isles, curated and arranged largely by founding member John Lombardo, who returned to the creative fold for this project. Unlike their previous work which blended folk influences into alternative rock, this album is almost entirely acoustic and chamber-oriented. It was funded via PledgeMusic, reflecting the band's strong connection to their dedicated fanbase. The record features Mary Ramsey on lead vocals and viola, a role she had held since the departure of Natalie Merchant, but here her classical training and folk sensibilities are given center stage. Critics noted the album's earnestness and its departure from the 'college rock' sound, with AllMusic highlighting the band's ability to make these traditional standards feel personal and cohesive within their own literary legacy.