Infamous Stringdusters Albums (2)
'The Infamous Stringdusters'
Release Date 5/15/2008
Tracks 13
Label Sugar Hill Records
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
It's always great to see youngsters take up the bluegrass/acoustic cause and bring it into the future, carrying on the tradition while adding new musical elements. It was great when the Country Gentlemen did it in the 1960s, when the Seldom Scene did it in the 1970s, when the Tony Rice/David Grisman crowd did it in the 1980s, and when Nickel Creek did it in the 1990s, and it's great that the Infamous Stringdusters are doing it in the new century. In truth, despite the Stringdusters' very traditional instrumentation, their music is hardly bluegrass at all; most of the songs on their second, eponymous album are original compositions, none are traditional or classic bluegrass numbers, and many of them have little in common with bluegrass -- the chopping mandolin offbeats and occasional banjo solos are the only really old-school elements that remain. Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course -- at their best, the Infamous Stringdusters are excellent songwriters and even better singers in a sort of newgrass/acoustic country vein, and their best material includes songs like the sprightly but regretful "Won't Be Coming Back," the gorgeously arranged "The Way I See You Now," and the very fine instrumental "Golden Ticket." However, at their worst they have a tendency to let their virtuosity overcome their musical judgment. "When Silence Is the Only Sound," in particular, is so full of fancy chords that its melody ends up meandering aimlessly and never taking any kind of definite shape. However, most of this album treads very deftly on the fine line separating forward-thinking modernism and the old-school verities, and the singing is always first-rate. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
From Fork in the Road's cover and the stylish photo layout of the six young dudes who make up the Infamous Stringdusters, the band could always audition for a twenty-something TV drama if the music business doesn't pan out. The Stringdusters deliver solid contemporary bluegrass on Fork in the Road, offering dramatic vocals, hot picking, and a likable set list. Professionalism, however, has become a common commodity on the contemporary bluegrass scene, where bands rely on a smoother production, carefully blended harmonies, and instrumental proficiency. Arguably, the stylistic variations of many of these bands are minute. The Infamous Stringdusters, like the Circuit Riders, follow in the footsteps of Blue Highway (and bands like the Seldom Scene), adding Dobro to guitar/fiddle/bass/mandolin/banjo arrangements. The Stringdusters have also learned to broaden their appeal by relying on a number of lead vocalists. It's easy to like a number of selections on Fork in the Road: "Tragic Life" has an intriguing storyline, and "Poor Boy's Delight" possesses an easy-flowing charm. As with Blue Highway, though, it's easy to feel that too many rough edges have been removed, taking the life out of the music. While contemporary acoustic music fans will find much to like here, other listeners may wish the band had clung closer to bluegrass roots to produce a sound less connected to the studio on Fork in the Road. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide
