Audio CD review:
Yonder Mountain String Band - Yonder Mountain String Band

Yonder Mountain String Band - Yonder Mountain String Band

Band: Yonder Mountain String Band Title: Yonder Mountain String Band Rating: Release Date: 2006-05-09 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Sidewalk Stars 2: I Ain't Been Myself in Years - Yonder Mountain String Band, Galloway, B. 3: How 'Bout You? 4: Angel 5: Fastball 6: East Nashville Easter - Yonder Mountain String Band, Austin, J. 7: Just the Same - Yonder Mountain String Band, Johnston, D. 8: Classic Situation 9: Night Out 10: Wind's on Fire - Yonder Mountain String Band, Johnston, D. 11: Midwest Gospel Radio 12: Troubled Mind - Yonder Mountain String Band, Kaufmann, B.

New terrority, well explored "Troubled Mind" is another great bluegrass song by them. "Sidewalk Stars" is wonderful song, and unlike what YMSB is (or was) about. And so this release straddles rock/jam with blasts of bluegrass. Not sure what there isn't to like, it won't be liked by those who don't like acts stretching, or who dislike anything that isn't bluegrass or acoustic. But those who like to adventure and those who like to ramble will listen and say: "Let them go". Pretenders to the throne Subpar vocal harmonies, pretentious lyrics and standard-issue level chops compared to others in the bluegrass genre leave not much nice to say about this disc. Unfortunately, Yonder Mountain String Band has turned their back on their bluegrass roots and have wandered off into never-never-noodleland on this latest offering. Kind of following the same path as String Cheese Incident, one supposes: release fine early bluegrass-tinged discs, change band sound, lose core audience. . . . eventually break up. I think we're up to the "lose core audience" point with Yonder Mountain on this CD. . Different for these guys, but great alla'same! I respect that you're a musician yourself, love bluegrass and play the banjo, but if you really did play this disc once and then throw it away, I hope you threw it in the direction of someone who could appreciate it. Sorry, "Frmertd" (please don't ask me to try and pronounce that!), I have to disagree with your review wholeheartedly. Perhaps you're a bit too set in your ways and traditionalist to really dig this album, but in my view, it's great. True, it doesn't sound a whole lot like earlier YMSB material. It's a bit more commercial, or "radio friendly" (although these days, in today's radio wasteland it's hard to imagine many stations that would actually play it-- if only KPIG from the Santa Cruz area could be in every market! But I degress. . . ). The point is that it sounds a bit more newgrass than bluegrass, more Railroad Earth than traditional Yonder. But that's ok, I happen to like Railroad Earth. And the fact that these guys are going in a different direction on this album doesn't mean that it isn't quality music. In fact, it's pretty terrific stuff, extremely well played and anything but "boring". The truth be told, Yonder Mountain String Band was never really a traditional bluegrass band to begin with. If this album isn't for you, then that's ok. But to dismiss it as boring and essentially worthless simply because it's not like their earlier music is selling it very short and does a real disservice to the music, the band, and to all of those who would really love this and now might not buy it based solely upon your negative review. In short, if you love newgrass and/or good country-rock, this should be very high on your "to buy" list. No, it's not bluegrass, as such. What it is, is some very fine music-- and I for one highly recommend it. kind of boring I love bluegrass and play banjo but it just wasn't my style. You know ,I have to apologetically say I didn't really like this too much. I expected alot of creativity but it was just kind of predictable and rock and rollish. I threw it away. . Album of the Year Their long-time fans may be disappointed with the transition away from classic bluegrass but so were Dylan's fans when he played electric guitar for the first time. Having recently been introduced to this YMSB, this is their most accessible album to date and a brilliant work of bluegrass/alternative rock fusion. Run and get this album and you'll see for youself. You can see a complete list of all Yonder Mountain String Band discography, or go back to the Yonder Mountain String Band tabs