CD Review

Bluegrass oriented, roots-based musical acts can often seem indistinguishable to the untrained ear, making for tough going when selecting an album. And indeed, if it’s wildly outside-the-box bluegrass you’re seeking, you’d best look elsewhere. However, if you’re looking for competent, timeless folk-bluegrass, you could do much worse than The Kickin’ Grass Band’s On The Short Rows.

Mining the rich landscape that is roots Americana, this North Carolinian quintet has a sound that evokes country dancin’, boot-stompin’ summer potlucks, in a shaded Appalachian valley where everyone is a musician. Though a relatively young band (they formed in 2000), this energetic group are clearly familiar with the deep roots of bluegrass and Americana, and use that knowledge to the listener’s true advantage. The album draws from a lush musical palette, with rich vocals skillfully blending into sweet harmonies, accompanied by adroit bluegrass-style banjo picking and occasionally blazing fiddle solos. The lyrics further flesh out this satisfyingly rich scenery, with songs reminiscing about growing tobacco in the Carolina sun followed by tales of love and love lost. This may sound like your grandpa’s bluegrass, but it’s played with such devotion that contemporary aficionados will love it with equal fervor.

For more info see: kickingrass.com