The band who originated the term "newgrass" continued their
progressive bluegrass
stylings on
Hold to a Dream
. As their work grew, the band explored new textures and instrumentation, including the use of fretless bass on
Bela Fleck
's
jazz
-inspired
"Metric Lips"
and the
sea shanty
roll of
Pat Flynn
"I'll Take Tomorrow."
Lead singer
John Cowan
is expressive but still relatively restrained (compared to some of his other recordings), and the interplay between
Fleck
's banjo and
Sam Bush
's fiddle or mandolin really sparks. While this album drifts closer to their
contemporary country
side than their
bluegrass
roots, it certainly makes for an entertaining listen. ~ Zac Johnson