Aurally Acute
A band that has been in existence since 2001 but new to me,
this latest release from the ‘newgrass’ ensemble [variously meaning progressive
bluegrass or synthetic turf or as with this band essentially Americana with
bluegrass/folk elements] is a confident and lively collection of well-written
songs, including mini-orchestral sweeps across clutches of numbers that combine
the instrumental and the sung. My main interest has been captured by the
absolutely beautiful title track which is consummately plaintive and affecting
both musically and lyrically, the vocal having just enough vulnerability [think fragile Ron Sexsmith] to be
empathetic but still carry the full emotion of a narrative about loneliness and
loss and ending. I read one review which spoke of skirting over this as a
filler to get to the livelier stuff: just shows how aural differences can be
acute.
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