Jeff and Sheri Easter

Miles and Milestones
Spring Hill Music

Country and gospel are two words once side by side in description of a single style of music.

But it hasn’t been that way in a while, and now Spring Hill — the mainstay of southern gospel and its scattered relatives — has made things even harder for the folks who care about the reasons why — Jeff and Sheri Easter’s “Miles and Milestones.”

The label on the back and pictures on the front of the new Easter record have your eyes telling your ears to expect Gaither Reunion-style gospel.

But the majority of the 15 songs has a much more modern country structure to them.

Were it not for the gospel-tilting vocal production — and, of course, lyrical content — these songs could be by your favorite country band.

Yet — and maybe I’m crazy — the slower, more gospel-paced numbers are seemingly sung in more of a modern CMT-esque vibrato.

And did I mention that Jeff Easter’s dad, James, sings with pioneering gospel act The Easter Brothers, whose style is also the subject of various hyphens and slashes?

Regardless of where you file it, however, “Miles and Milestones” is a worthy addition to your collection.