flutegrl71
08-26-2005, 03:55 PM
Every Friday my newspaper showcases 4-6 reviews of new CD releases. There was one this week about WSTFD! I thought it was overall quite complenting, except for the brevity. They listed it under the genre of folk rock - and I think if you had to put a name to Nickel Creek's genre, that's a pretty good one.
To see it for yourself, click here (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v119/Muddles/My%20Portfolio/nickelcreekreview.jpg)
This youthful, Southern California, three-piece string band had great success with its first two albums -- and with that came a kind of smug virtuosity, as if they were saying, Look how effortlessly we can jump between jazz, bluegrass and modern classical motifs.
But on their third time out, mandolinist Chris Thile, fiddler Sara Watkins and her guitarist brother, Sean, integrate those genres, as well as snappy pop and some blistering rock, into a well-balanced, holistic/acoustic sound.
Their songwriting has grown deeper and more searching, too, though Thile's stud posturing is still evident on tracks like the rueful Can't Complain.
All in all, Fire percolates with genius, energy and, for the first time, maturity.
--Bob Strauss
Los Angeles Daily News
Now, I would disagree with him that this is their first mature album. I think each one has shown maturity, but in different ways. I think Nickel Creek shows their maturity in bluegrass skill; This Side shows a maturity in interpretation; and WSTFD shows a maturity in lyrical songwriting. Yay for growth!
Also, I do laugh somewhat at his referring to NC exhibiting a smug virtuosity - Smug? ha. He's just jealous.;)
To see it for yourself, click here (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v119/Muddles/My%20Portfolio/nickelcreekreview.jpg)
This youthful, Southern California, three-piece string band had great success with its first two albums -- and with that came a kind of smug virtuosity, as if they were saying, Look how effortlessly we can jump between jazz, bluegrass and modern classical motifs.
But on their third time out, mandolinist Chris Thile, fiddler Sara Watkins and her guitarist brother, Sean, integrate those genres, as well as snappy pop and some blistering rock, into a well-balanced, holistic/acoustic sound.
Their songwriting has grown deeper and more searching, too, though Thile's stud posturing is still evident on tracks like the rueful Can't Complain.
All in all, Fire percolates with genius, energy and, for the first time, maturity.
--Bob Strauss
Los Angeles Daily News
Now, I would disagree with him that this is their first mature album. I think each one has shown maturity, but in different ways. I think Nickel Creek shows their maturity in bluegrass skill; This Side shows a maturity in interpretation; and WSTFD shows a maturity in lyrical songwriting. Yay for growth!
Also, I do laugh somewhat at his referring to NC exhibiting a smug virtuosity - Smug? ha. He's just jealous.;)