JOY KILLS SORROW

Darkness Sure Becomes This City

2010-02-25

This Boston-based band takes a bluegrass foundation and adds innovation in both songwriting and musicianship. At times, the cuts seem "old-timey," like the Gary, Indiana* radio station WJKS, from when comes the band's name (cf. "New Shoes" and "We Will Have Our Day"). In other moments, the break from the expected brings added interest and depth (cf. title track, "All the Buildings"). The group is kind of an "acoustic all-star" configuration: the mandolin player is the first-ever graduate from the prestigious Berklee School of Music on that instrument; the guitarist has a "flatpicking championship" under his belt; the primary lyricist is a John Lennon Songwriting Award winner; and the main vocalist won a national Canadian folk music performing honor. Nice that they all found one another. Give this disc a spin. Michael J. 02/10 F-Americana [*How a Gary, Indiana station got away with playing bluegrass might be interesting research sometime.]

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Folk

  • reviewed 01/2004

    Dar Williams
    The Beauty of the Rain

  • reviewed 12/1969

    THE ZOSO SISTERS
    Adieu False Heart

  • reviewed 06/2008

    HAYDEN
    In Field and Town

  • reviewed 02/2008

    JIM WHITE
    Transnormal Skiperoo

  • reviewed 10/2006

    ANDERS PARKER
    Anders Parker

  • reviewed 06/2006

    JEN CHAPIN
    Ready

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.