Violinist
Darol Anger
and mandolinist/guitarist
Mike Marshall
are mainstays of the "new acoustic music" genre associated with players such as
David Grisman
and
Bela Fleck
. Joined on this record by bassist
Derek Jones
and drummer
Aaron Johnston
,
Anger
Marshall
serve up ten original compositions that bristle with technical complexity and stylistic diversity. Any devotee of rhythmically involved, high-energy fusion music will warm to
the Anger/Marshall Band
's sound, but the average listener might find some of their work inaccessible, especially pieces like
"Zakir"
"Emu's Blues."
On the other hand,
"Our Life"
"Brooksboro Terrace"
are a bit banal.
Bridging the worlds of jazz and funk, hot bluegrass, Celtic and Arabic folk, and Americana, the group still manages to forge a coherent identity, primarily by infusing every track with exceptional musicianship.
's
"Around Here"
stands out as one of the best tracks, as does
"Goodnight Manatee,"
which finds
playing a low-pitched guitar called the celloguitar.
"Tuesdays at 7:30,"
this time with
on celloguitar, features the album's most ambitious, jazz-inflected harmonies.
also does some fiery flatpicking on
"The Fall,"
and his mandolin solo on the first track,
"Coal Burnin' Grease Fire,"
is an album highlight. Guest artist
Alison Brown
contributes excellent banjo playing to the opener as well, and
John R. Burr
plays Hammond B-3 organ on seven of the songs. There's also a nifty hidden track at the very end of the program. ~ David R. Adler