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Bluegrass is a difficult idiom to break into in today's often turbulent music industry. Mandolin, banjo, and Appalachian vocal howls do not always appeal to the average listener (though any jaded music critic will say they should). This is changing, however, with bands like Nickel Creek and Yonder Mountain String Band earning their stripes and garnering themselves serious cult followings. While they may lack any real cerebral complexity, Yonder Mountain String Band is at the peak of a very niche genre, serving the public with their self-titled, fourth studio album.

Layered and textured melodies, coupled with unreal live performances have turned the collective heads over at Vanguard Records, allowing the group a little more production value that may turn off some of the jam band militia that have already worn out their bootleg copies. The main attraction with bluegrass bands like YMSB, however, has always been musicianship, of which these guys have a near supernatural amount. While there may not be any extended jamming on this album (sorry, bro, no scatting) the electricity produced by these boys' fingertips could light up a city block.

Borrowing from a virtual melting pot of influences, Yonder Mountain String Band hearkens back to early Dylan ("Just the Same") as well as Willie Nelson ("Angel"), though both Mr. Zimmerman and the red-headed stranger had noticeably less of a foothold in the Appalachian tradition. "Fastball" puts mandolin player Jeff Austin's face-melting prowess to the forefront with his fire-spitting fingerings moving well beyond ludicrous speed. Yonder Mountain String Band may not evoke any wistful, down-home feelings, but the enjoyment comes out of the simplicity and (gasp!) fun that the band is obviously having.

By tip-toeing through a number of different styles, Yonder Mountain String Band has crafted yet another fun and melodic bluegrass record, sweating any contemporaries to try and match it. College kids around the country rejoice, because this is just one more good record that will leave you chilled out and tasting the colors.

3 of 5

-Mike Affholder

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