Spurred by the relatively lackluster performance of
Close to the Edge
(it barely went gold compared to the debut's platinum),
Diamond Rio
explored the musical possibilities of its talents rather than digging for easy commercial success. The instrumentalists, particularly
Jimmy Olander
and mandolinist
Gene Johnson
, assume larger roles on songs like
"Love a Little Stronger"
and the instrumental
"Appalachian Dream,"
but they rarely show off. The band members even tap into an acoustic jazz-rock mode for
"Kentucky Mine,"
one of the best songs they've ever recorded. ~ Brian Mansfield