kitch

I had been listening to the individual tracks of this album as they were released through Yonder's website for a couple of months and was deeply concerned by a few tracks. I was worried about the addition of electric guitar and drums. Not to sound like the guy who screamed "JUDAS" at Dylan in London in 65, but when you get down to it Yonder has always been a primarily acoustic band.

Now that I have the album and have listened to it through a number of times though, my opinion may be changing. There are tracks on here that DO NOT sound distinctly like Yonder, but that may be because they're moving in a new and beuatiful direction.

The album begins with the archetypal, fast paced and happy "out of the blue", garnishing lines like "blow away the undertaker by how good you were looking" and the refrain of "hold out, hold out for the better it could be" this song is sure to get you in a bluegrass mood. Supremely crafted and musically intricate yet lyrically simple, great choice of a first track.

Next is "complicated". This track terrified me the first time I heard it. It simply does not sound like Yonder. It has a driving drum beat that kind of overpowers the bass. The words to this song are so redemptive though that it can be forgiven if it sounds slightly poppy. lines like "there are songs I have seen that make somebody feel like things are better than they seem" This song is obviously important to Ben. There is a slightly phishy guitar riff by Adam in the middle but it doesn't detract from the song.

Fingerprint is the third track. Here we get back to basics. Just straight up down and dirty bluegrass here. The lyrics aren't anything special but they don't need to be. The music is practically a declaration that Yonder will not abandon their bluegrass roots. This track does have drums but they're at an appropriate level. Well mixed bluegrass rock.

Dreams is one of the most psychadelic tracks on this album, as well as one of the slowest. Only the core 4 on this track as far as I can tell. It drifts by like a a raft on a river painted in watercolors.

Honestly is a massively psychadelic song, with a short synth part on the beginning, then breaking into moderately paced bluegrass. There are incredible harmonies on this track, Ala Grizzly Bear. The song begins in a slow beatlesesque timber but works it's way steadily up into a quick jig that explodes across the soundscape.

Steep Grade, Sharp Curves is an old favourite. it's treatment on the show includes drums but again well balanced so that you can still hear Ben.

Isolate is probably the song on this album that will be the most difficult to listen to, but it's one of my favourites. Lyrically simple yet telling a story of loneliness and quiet desperation. With lines like "nescessity drains day from night, the kitchen devotes an empty plate, sometimes the walls say what she's not, the radio won't let her isolate." It seems that there is redemption right around the corner.

In the seam is very appropriately titled, as it both brings you back into the seam after the desperation of isolate, and it's clear that the band is in the seam, playing beautifully together.

Belle Parker is probably my single favourite track on this album. I still can't understand the chorus entirely but the song is fun and forgiving. Once again appropriately levelled drums but with a very nice riff by Adam on electric guitar running over the whole thing. Very catchy.

Criminal is part of the Sheriff Saga and seems to be told from the point of view of the sheriff. A fun song without being too pushy.

Rain still falls takes us back to the land of pines and corn liquor. Pure bluegrass, fast paced and lovely. There's a particularly nice mandolin lick by Jeff right about the middle. The boys are getting good at this harmony stuff.

Fine excuses is another wonderful, fun song. The story of a man clearly anxious to rid himself of a negative woman. "I can't wait to see the show when she goes" seems to be the line from which the album was named. Redeaming yet light and playful.

Casualty is the final track on the album. There is some question as to whether this song may be a prequel to the sheriff saga, before On The Run. It's the story of a man in a bar, trying to reconcile the waitresses obvious advances with his own desire for freedom. with lines like "then I'm off and out the door, and she wonders why I'm leaving, and I wonder why she gives me things for free, what is it you think you're getting from me" This is another back to basics bluegrass song, rendered wonderfully in the studio, with fast driving riffs and fun lyrics.


Over all this album is hugely psycahdellic, well constructed for a trip. There are several parts that don't sound like Yonder, but plenty of fast picking to keep even the most purist bluegrass fan interested. I'd suggest this as a 'first set' for your trip, the kind of thing you use to rev yourself up, put away negative emotions and jump into the river.

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kitch

thanks for reading that, you can find the tracks pretty easily online. Start with complicated or Belle Parker.

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TouchofHysteria

I haven't listened to these guys in awhile. My chemistry teacher in high school turned me on to them, I have Mountain Tracks 2 & 4, but haven't listened to any studio work. I have a hard time picturing them with electric guitar

kitch

all of their studio stuff is really good, especcially their self titled album

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Hooked

Great review man. Haven't listened to this stuff at all. Wish I was getting down w/ them on NYE.

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kitch

yonder's site has 10 of the 13 tracks streaming.

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Praise Jah

i saw them live at camp creek. they were alright

John F. Kerry

nice review kitch i clicked your link a few days ago and was quite pleasantly surprised by yonders new album.

good lookin out

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