INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS

THINGS THAT FLY

2010-06-02

Generally speaking bluegrass music is best experienced live. There’s something about witnessing the complex interplay amongst the musicians as they trade leads with one another that elevates the routine into the sublime. Maybe it’s the urge to tap your toes and bop your head with abandon that is unleashed in the live setting and in the company of others but not in your living room that makes it happen? Some neurologist or anthropologist will have to figure it out. All I can do is comment on the little silver disc in my player. So, having said that, what’s the deal with this new release by the Infamous Stringdusters? Does it come close to capturing the infectious energy the six members routinely generate in their live shows? Well, mostly. Several of the tracks here including "Those Who’ve Gone On", "Take a Chance on the Truth", "The Deputy" and "17 Cents" (featuring Dierks Bentley on vocals) will get you moving regardless of the time or circumstance that has this disc in rotation. Others, like "Magic #9", or the U2 cover, "In God’s Country", feature lots of instrumental or vocal interplay that is pleasant but not attention grabbing and will likely fall into the background as the disc spins in your living room. Overall, a decent listen, but check out the band live for the true experience of these cuts. Smitty