Faraway Land
Bluegrass gospel recordings typically place a premium on the  traditional sounds of close harmonies, tight arrangements, and churchly  melodies. But longtimeUnion Stationmember Ron Block seems heaven bent on cutting a new gospel road.  Blending together "newgrass" and adult contemporary folk, Block has  fashioned a spiritual song cycle grounded very much in the present.  "Higher Than Man" quotes John 8 and rocks likeWhiskeytownunplugged, while "Searching..." reinterprets the metaphysics ofThe  Matrix, and the gorgeous "Is It Any Wonder?" rewritesLes  Miserablesfrom a born-again perspective. The somber mood of these  originals may put off a few listeners, but breakdowns like "Set Your  Children Free," which features harmonies from Soggy Bottom BoyDan Tyminski, and  "In the Morning Light," with sizzling mandolin fromNickel Creek's  Chris Thile, let in a bit of radiant joy.--Roy Kasten