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especially in a down economy. don't waste your time, or money. i purchased this music some time ago, based on a newspaper recommendation. (so much for that failing media) i was impressed by the weak , wholly unimaginative, unoriginal, and bleakly insipid attempt at meaningfulness; in not only the lyrics, but also the instrumental(lack of) expression.
Truthfully, if I hadn't seen the name on the album, I am not sure I would have known this was Old Crow. I have been an OCMS fan for quite a while. I am quite surprised at the fact that I just don't like these songs-- really not one of them grabs you the way Tear It Down, Tell It to Me, CC Rider, We're all in this Thing Together, or almost all of their early work does. Those albums are gold (even if they sound like gravel).
Maybe you need nights spent in Trinity Lane motels outside of Nashville to really sing about the "Down South Blues". If you are new to Old Crow and you want to hear their best stuff, I suggest you take a look at their older albums like Eutaw and Live and their first self-titled album. I suppose being successful makes it harder to write and genuinely sing songs like "Trouble that I'm In," "Can't Get Right Blues" and "Trials and Troubles". But it probably isn't progress if it isn't as good-- even if it does sound more up to date and produced.
But that was what made it so great. Which is fine if that is what you are looking for, and if this is their "evolution," then best of luck to them as the progress. Spent many good evenings listening to them jam at the Station Inn in Nashville. It is starting to sound more and more like just another country band with a twang of bluegrass.
just like the music that it comes from (old time string band / hillbilly) and just like the stuff their singing about. These songs just don't seem to have the grit or the heart that those did-- and I will admit their old stuff is rough at times. It was gritty, rough, dirty and real.
I really didn't know that anyone was out there that could play that well, sing that well and tell the story, the real story. Out of the blue, I attended their concert last night in Atlanta. I'm still stunned. I have a new favorite group. It was beyond all my expectations. They are hot.I just purchased their CD, Tennessee Pusher.
Both have roots in traditional americana-ish music, yet both have evolved from album to album.picking up new fans and frustrating some fans who only like one incarnation of the band.They're also similar to "The Avett Brothers", who hail from a similar music genesis, yet make music all their own, and change with every new album.None of these are static - every album is new and different - that's why they're all great. Having read the myriad reviews for the album, it is safe to say that if you want to listen to traditional bluegrass music, you won't care for this album.If you want music with bluegrass/americana roots, you might well like it. This album IS a bit heavier than their previous work, but still has some high energy, fun songs (such as the sexual-innuendo-filled "Mary's Kitchen"), but quieter songs, as well.I find myself comparing the band, and this album, to my favorite current band - Wilco.
This new album, Tennessee Pusher, ranks right up there. I now own many of their CD's and plan on purchasing the entire collection someday. A friend introduced me to O.C.M.S. last year.
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