Bluegrass. Again.
Alright, so we’re going to continue in the bluegrass, America vein. I mean, how could I stop when bands like Cadillac Sky keep finding their way to my eardrums? That’s what I thought.
Now, past the over arching stamp of bluegrass approval, categorizing the band becomes a bit more difficult. The bluegrass is most certainly there; spine shaking mandolins, clanging banjos, humming upright basses, and rivetting fiddles all make appearances, and at times one feels as if the band is an all male mirror of the earliest forms of the dixie chicks. But delve a little bit deeper and one begins to appreciate the true invention, experimentalist tendencies, and thoughtful eclecticism of Cadillac Sky’s intriguing sound. They’ve been described before as “psychobilly bluegrass,” if that gives you any indication of what I’m trying to describe.
If you ask me, this is what Cadillac Sky’s greatest strength is; their flexibility and willingness to explore every facet of their capacities as musicians and songwriters (coupled with some damn catchy vocals) will be as important to the current developments of bluegrass as the likes of big names like the avett brothers.
It’s certainly a contributing factor to the perked interest of Black Keys’ front man, Dan Auerbach, who signed on earlier this summer to produce the upcoming album from the group. The Bluegrass Blog has a nice piece about this budding relationship.
The only song available right now is off their debult album, Blind Man Walking, which, in this day and age, is a ripe 2007 vintage. And while the sound has inevitably matured, I think the track at least gives an idea to the merit’s of their bluegrass and song-writing chops. So if you’re digging the bluegrass country, this is for you. Check out the title track from their latest EP, Weary Angel, to get a better idea of the more developed, experimental sound I was talking about.
Myspace - Cadillac Sky and take a listen to the Video Killed the Radio Star cover…if only for the novelty of it. banjos + the buggles? ha, you tell me. Also, a heartfelt version of I Will Follow You Into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie that sounds like it was always meant to make CMT it’s home.
