Yonder Mountain String Band - Town by Town, 2002
The Yonder Mountain String Band plays bluegrass as well as anyone , and put on a great show. If only they could sing.
Town by Town has some fantastic moments, but is not high, nor is it lonesome. It is not awe inspiring, nor frequently played at my house, either. It leaves me wishing I had spent the money on a concert ticket instead.
The best songs are "Easy as Pie" and "Hot Potato," instrumentals that let the Nederland group's musicianship show through. As far as vocals, "New Horizons," To See You Comin' Round the Bend,' and "Must've Had Your Reasons" (which reminds me of a Gordon Lightfoot tune) stand out. The lyrics are good across the album, but the vocals are luke-warm at best. Yes, all of them.
The album is beautifully produced by Tim O'Brien, but is somehow lifeless and overly polite. It's the very highest caliber of mediocre.
Town by Town is OK, but if you want the true measure of this band, I'd stick to their live stuff for now.
BT
