Trampled By Turtles “Stars and Satellites” Album Review.

I am really beginning to dive into bluegrass music these days. Something about its sound and flow is so pure and honest. Even the saddest of tracks can take you to a far away place where things are going to wind up ok in the end. Trampled By Turtles, a 5 piece from Minnesota, formed in 2003, and have been making some excellent headway for themselves in the music game. In addition to a stellar performance in Austin during SXSW that drew rave reviews, the group has played a host of huge festivals in the past. This year, they are slated to perform at Bonnaroo, All Good, and Sasquatch, in addition to their headlining dates coming our way in a few weeks.

It’s no wonder… After listening to their new album, “Starts and Satellites,” I literally had to stop myself from applauding in public at the end of my first listen. The band’s sixth album since 2004, “Stars and Satellites” offers 11 super solid tracks, all recorded in a log home in Duluth. Some of the tracks are very rhythmic and pulsing, others are quite easygoing and subtle. All are fantastic!

Opening with “Midnight on the Interstate” and closing with “The Calm and the Crying Wind,” both mellower tracks, Tracks like “Sorry” and “Walt Whitman” are quick and bouncy. “Risk” has a fun, almost comical delivery, with a dark edge to it. The album is laid out very well, and will captivate any listener who pays attention.

The banjo player picks like a wild man during many of the tracks, and the mandolin and fiddle provide excellent rhythmic and melodic contrast. The bass lines flow easily throughout the songs, and the vocal harmonies are right on, complimenting Dave Simonett’s leads and acoustic strumming beautifully.

If you are looking for a great album of Bluegrassy Folk tunes, look no further than Trampled By Turtles. And if you can’t get enough of the record, make sure to catch them in Syracuse when they play The Westcott Theatre on April 19th. I’ll be there!

The entire album is currently available for streaming at their website. Check it out!!!

http://trampledbyturtles.com/

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