Reviews
Give It All Away
2025 IBMA Momentum Vocalist Ali Vance shows why that award was more than appropriate with the first track on the new album, a fierce gospel song that whispers and growls called “Heal These Hands”. The recording opens with the sound of tuning in a distant gospel radio show and incorporates some bits of preaching, sounds…
The Seven
It had been a while since I heard something with vigor and style, until this humdinger landed on my lap. Hot off the press, The Seven comes to us from newgrass sensation, Fireside Collective. This group hails from beautiful Asheville, North Carolina, where these musicians have been shaped by the culture and artistic integrity of…
Rusty Cleavers III
This West Coast band from the Tacoma, Washington area is made up of four musicians who come from a variety of backgrounds and who have formed together to produce their progressive sound based on bluegrass, but with modern touches of punk, jazz and folk. There is Luke Sumerfield, who is a pipe-organ maker with a…
The Universe is Hungry
The Brooklyn-based trio Damn Tall Buildings has crafted a deep roots sound that, while tight, has enough rough edges to keep the music fresh, honest, and relatable. The band uses the soulful grooves of bluegrass and roots music to sing about the search for where we’re going, who we are, leaving home and coming home,…
Down The Road
The first word that comes to mind while listening to the new album from Aaron and Adam Bibelhauser and their band is “powerful.” There’s a confidence in the playing and singing that shines through every track. The guests on the album sound perfectly at home, adding their own unique flavors in support of the songs….
The Wild East
The Wild East is not only the title of this new project, but it is also the name of the Western North Carolina band led by Michael Wayne Avery. On this new project, Avery plays mandolin, resonator guitar, is the lead vocalist, and the main songwriter. The band also includes Sam Gottlieb (guitar, vocals), Charles…