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.]GINA FORSYTH
Promised Land
HOOTS AND HELLMOUTH
HOOTS AND HELLMOUTH
AMANDA SHIRES
Carrying Lightning
Greg Brown
The Evening Call
Rollie Tussing And The Midwest Territory Band
Rollie Tussing And The Midwest Territory Band
JAKE SHIMABUKURO
Gently Weeps
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