Blueground Undergrass Albums (4)
What The Critics Say
The psychedelic flowers that light up the cover of Faces suggest the band's tongue-twisting name is purposeful: Blueground Undergrass easily converts into Bluegrass Underground. The name, in turn, suggests that the dozen songs and instrumentals that fill Faces aren't traditional bluegrass. If the name itself doesn't convince the skeptic, a quick listen to the title track and "Dublin Blues" will. The title track really doesn't venture too far from bluegrass, though Matt Cowley's percussion lets the listener know that this isn't Bill Monroe. "Dublin Blues," on the other hand, qualifies as alternative country, with slashing slide guitar, fiddle, banjo, and drums creating a bigger sound. "Our Feet" abandons any pretense of roots altogether, alternating between funky guitar on the choruses and smooth trumpet on the mellower verses. This pastiche of styles could either be described as eclectic or scattered, though the sheer variety of styles precludes overall unity. Blueground Undergrass nonetheless fits comfortably in the String Cheese Incident school of bluegrass-jazz-folk, allowing each of the band's members to bring something different to the overall mix. For anyone who likes his or her bluegrass commingled with an adventurous spirit, Blueground Undergrass' Faces should fit the bill. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Their second studio album, Blueground Undergrass' Newgrass, refines the band's newgrass sound into a gentle, self-described "wall of twang." Produced by pedal steel player Mark Van Allen, it is Van Allen's pedal steel, lap steel, and dobro that give the band their distinct sound. By mixing them cleanly and playing them slowly, Van Allen's instruments give the band a warm bed to rest on. Oddly enough, it is Van Allen and not J. Vic Stafford's drums that free Jeff Mosier's banjo from the rhythmic role the instrument is usually confined to, allowing the veteran bandleader to color the jams in a way not evident on the rhythm section-heavy playing of the band's previous release, Live at the Variety Playhouse, a live outing recorded in their native Georgia. Here, songs like Jeff Mosier's "Everchanging Moment" and Van Allen's "Why'd You Have to Leave" are stately without being sleepy, refined without being snotty, and sweet without being melodramatic. While the band does fuse elements of multiple genres, as jam bands are wont to do, they still manage to find one unique sound, which they exploit maturely. ~ Jesse Jarnow, All Music Guide
'Live at the Variety Playhouse 7.10.99'
Release Date 1/1/1999
Tracks 9
Label Phoenix
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Barnyard Gone Wrong'
Release Date 12/15/1998
Tracks 11
Label Root Cellar Music
See Album Tracklist and Review
