Railroad Earth

To me Todd Sheaffer is one of the great unsung song writers of our times. Railroad Earth was a great acoustic/folk/bluegrass band. Here Todd's songs are frame in more rock element, with the big exception "Day in the Sand" which is just him acoustic on a nice touching song. The John Skehan instrumental "Spring-Heeled Jack" sounds less Celtic here than live. At times Carey Harmon's drums are put out in the front, "On the Banks" sounds better if you turn down the left channel, but his drumming has always been about serving the song in perfect subtle ways not about being the man out front.The songs are good, very good. "Jupiter" is excellent, "Potter's Field" and "On the Banks" aren't far behind. They are great musicians. Todd's voice is a in top form. That mix makes for a solid album alone. The production, clean, and wonderfully engineered, attempts to make it sound like a rock or pop album and that makes for a really strong collection of songs you wish was recorded back in Todd's barn not in some fancy studio. "Black Elk Speaks" here is a loud song, with distorted guitars and aims to be a alternative rock number, as an acoustic song this is a great number. This will get many listens, all the songs are worthy additions to the RRE catalog and I'm sure I'll get use the production, but the I recommend every one of their previous albums before this one.

The value of this vinyl is insane, and it even includes the CD. Luckily, the music is really awesome too. I saw these guys at Red Rocks this past summer, and was really blown away by now good they sounded. They've really achieved a perfect blend of sonic excellence, and this album is their best so far on that level. There's not a bad song on this album, but I suppose some fans might prefer a straighter bluegrass sound. I love how some of these tracks have a great aggressive groove, Jupiter & The 119 being the best song with a really catchy beat. It certainly seems to me like the percussion on this album is the best out of any of them. The next song, Black Elk Speaks, really winds an amazing trail and has some truly amazing lead and background vocals.I can't stop listening to this album, and I'd be willing to bet I won't get sick of it anytime soon. This is the sort of recording that has staying power. It's pretty much the antithesis of pop, but it still has some really memorable moments.Anyone who's a freak for vinyl needs to pick this up.

Closer to the country-rock of Willie Nelson, this album is a bit of a departure from the bluegrass RRE has been known for. It's good, but not quite up to par with Bird in the House or Elko, which is a masterpiece. Still, if you're a Railroad Earth fan, this is a good addition to your collection. I was disappointed, though, that even though the vinyl edition is two discs, the sleeve was not a gatefold. Including the CD version with it was a nice bonus.

I've heard some say this is a more rock record with some electric guitar solos and the drums prominent in the mix which is a diversion from the more bluegrass style of early RRE. Yes, true, but the song craft of Todd Shaefer is still the underlying force of the record which is familiar and strong enough the carry the albums through different style changes and lengthy jamming on some tunes. The stand out track for me is "Black Elk" similiar to the vein of "Black Bear", "Goat", or "Hunting Song" on previous records. I tend to like the more edgier sound but can understand if you have a band with one of the best mandolin and fiddler player in the jamband community why you don't utilize them more on the record. The album is contempory sounding which blends more with radio friendly adult stations so I can see that the band may have been trying to go beyond there roots into more progressive tastes. Works well just may take some time to get used to. In the interim listen to any of there other fine acoustic driven recordings and go see them live for there improvisations and re-creations of these songs as the grow and meld into their catalog of brewgrass music for whatever ales you.

Black Elk and The Jupiter and the 119. My two favorite tracks on the album. Railroad earth has one of the best storytelling song writing styles I've ever come across. Todd and the rest of the guys take his ideas and turn them into beautiful works of music.

I prefer not look at the lone accomplishments of the guys in this band. They are all fabulous musicians and Todd Sheaffer's story telling is what brings it all together. Railroad Earth has been one of my most listen-to bands for the last couple of years. I can't say enough about them.This disc is on par with with their previous studio albums although I must say it's not my favorite. It takes me a while to get used to the produced sound, but the album is bookended and filled with great tunes.If you enjoy bluegrass/folk/jam bands/celtic/singer-songwriter give this CD a listen! You will not be disappointed!On another note - if you even remotely like the sound of this band go and see them LIVE!! You will be blown away! You can also find many live soundboard recordings if you look around. Great stuff!!

A unique and cool sound.

I have suggested this album to many and without fail every single person has loved it. I do believe it is one of the best effort's in true music in a decade. The poetry in the lyrics and instrumental perfection make this one for the collection . A classic in the making. The music of Railroad Earth is a mix of rock , bluegrass, a hint of jazz , a little folk mixed in a blender that will pour smooth from your speaker's and into your soul.Every track on this cd is fantastic , making the small investment in ordering this album worth a million in your listening pleasure.In my opinion also the perfect gift of music for any occasion because of the unique sound and quality of this band.

After checking out the band's previous studio albums following the discovery of their magnificent "Elko" live set, and being distinctly underwhelmed, I approached this new set with some caution. They wouldn't be the first band in the history of music unable to translate the intensity of their live performance into the studio. Happily, on a new label and with a new producer Angelo Montrone, this is a much more confident and muscular outing that, without betraying the band's bluegrass roots, takes a first tentative step into rock, and it suits them.New bassist Andrew Altman adds electric bass to the band's traditional upright, and the transformation is completed on "Black Elk Speaks", an out and out rocker that stakes a strong claim to being the album's standout, along with "Lone Croft Farewell" and the gorgeous singalong ballad "On The Banks".The eleven-minute jazzy instrumental "Spring Heeled Jack" is a clear nod in the direction of the band's extended live jams and, though the melody may be slight, it's a virtuoso performance by a combo who are clearly all accomplished players.The album ends with the disappointment of discovering that "Potter's Field" isn't in fact a cover of the Tom Waits song of that name (now THAT would really have been something!). Instead, it's a celtic-bluegrass romp with an infectious riff that closes the set on a high.Still not as exciting as the live album, but heading in the right direction.

ニュージャージーのジャムバンド、5作目のスタジオアルバム。来日したり、日本デビューしたりと、日本での知名度も結構あるバンド。しかしその肝心の日本盤やライヴ盤は、まぁ常なのだが、いかにもジャムグラスバンドなものでぶっちゃけいまいちだった。もちろん、アッパーなプレイ、スピード感あるバンドサウンドに満ちていて、激上手グラス集団な作品であり巷の評価はめちゃくちゃ高いので、そんな路線がお好きなら是非聴くべきだとは思う。しかし本作は、ひっそりとリリースされた感はあるが、ウェストコーストサウンド、シンガーソングライター作にも通じるような、美しいメロディ、唄を聴かせてくれるグラスポップ作品になっており名盤。こんな聴かせる良い作品をつくれるバンドだったのかと感動。マンドリン、フィドル、バンジョを軸としたグラスルーツ、的確なバンドサウンド、軽快で明朗なプレイ、美しいコーラスワークと、西海岸的な光と影にて描かれるセンチメンタルな奥行き、素晴らしい歌を素晴らしい演奏で聴かせてくれる１枚。