With four new members since 1999’s The Nashville Sessions, it’s safe to say Colorado’s favorite homegrown band Leftover Salmon, has entered a new era. With the self titled Leftover Salmon, their first studio release in five years, the obvious change and maturity are representive of a band in transition and evolution. Gone is the overwhelming sense of whimsical "polyethnic Cajun slamgrass" that channels their earlier records, in favor of a more patient sound. Although with song titles like "Down In The Hollow," "Mountain Top," "Last Days of Autumn" and "Whispering Waters," the band’s earthy song foundation is still in place, but with more substance on top.
Produced by Little Feat’s Bill Payne, Leftover Salmon displays a mix of their patented bluegrass, along with a mix of rock, folk, cajun and country. Although the hooky Little Feat influences are hard to miss, the band still maintains their individual style when leaders Drew Emmitt and Vince Herman play to the forefront. Emmitt’s mountain yelp provides its familiar welcoming tone in the feel good "Down In The Hollow" and "Whispering Waters." Although Emmitt's crawling ode to New Orleans, "Delta Queen" falls flat, his personal "Weary Traveler" hits a warm note, with its insightful lyrics of the nomadic road.
Herman sheds the crazy guy persona of records past, keeping it a bit more mellow, aside from "Everything Is Round," which bounces with the playful energy of the band’s festival friendly aura. New banjo player, Noam Pikelny, lets his nimble talents shine from the onset on "Down In The Hollow," and later in the rich instrumental "Lincoln at Nevada." that nicely redefines the essential banjo ingredient. The rich organ work of relative newcomer Bill McKay offers the entire collection an added hint of soul, depth and maturity; although his club rocker "Just Keep Walkin," makes Salmon sound too much like a certain other well known Colorado rock/bluegrass band.
This may not be your typical Salmon, yet there is no denying that the band’s musicianship is top notch and more focused than ever. It’ll be interesting to see if these "new era Salmon tunes" will hold up in their energetic live shows.
