Long List of Heartaches
The Grascals' acclaimed 2005 debut demonstrated their strength was modern, streamlined bluegrass with ample nods to tradition. Brimming with instrumental virtuosity, this near-perfect effort reiterates those strengths. By seamlessly blending the new with the traditional, they allow the hilarious contemporary number "Being Me" (featuring a Dierks Bentley cameo) to coexist with "Don't Tell Mama," a moralistic, anti-DUI ballad complete with a somber George Jones recitation. Their takes on Merle Haggard's "You Don't Have Very Far to Go" (enhanced by 1960s pedal steel great Lloyd Green), the Osborne Brothers' "Hard Times" and "Roll Muddy River," and Bill Monroe's 1940s favorite "Will You Be Lovin' Another Man" are spirited without being imitative. The bluegrass explosion, which brought unprecedented exposure to icons like Ralph Stanley and stardom to Allison Krauss, unfortunately opened the doors for a slew of lesser acts who either wallow in arty pretense or put a campy spin on classic bluegrass. The Grascals here affirm one truth: the best, old or new, will always trump the trendy.--Rich Kienzle