Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver "More Behind the Picture Than the Wall" (Rounder) Sounds Like: A bluegrass record not for the inexperienced.
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver illustrate the beautiful and underappreciated art form that is bluegrass. With the quick high notes of a mandolin and the long, drawn-out sound of a fiddle accentuating the melodic strumming of acoustic guitar and banjo, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver blend together these stringed instruments into upbeat, energizing music.
"More Behind the Picture Than the Wall" features traditional high-energy bluegrass music in songs such as "The Phone Call" and "Tulsa Turn Around," as well as slower country tunes like "The Selfishness in Man" and "Whatever Happened to Us."
Unfortunately, this album's country songs make Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver sound just like any other folk-country band.
The shrill vocals and slow, soft tempo of these songs sound forced and out of place when intermixed with the other bluegrass tracks.
However, the band displays its real musical talent within the fast bluegrass tracks.
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver's free and loose style full of rapid picking and plucking of their instruments makes them one of the few pre-eminent bluegrass bands around.
During these songs, listeners can really hear the blend of the five distinct string instruments that come together to create a true bluegrass vibe.
While "More Behind the Picture Than the Wall" may excite the most dedicated bluegrass music fans, it does not really appeal to listeners looking to branch into the bluegrass genre.
People who want to ease into bluegrass with a more mainstream appeal may want to check out the band Nickel Creek for a more palatable bluegrass-rock fusion.
-RYAN PICKETT
