Search - Northern Lights :: Wrong Highway Blues

At The Peak

03/12/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As one of the more vital contributors to the Newgrass movement, Northern Lights defines that category on this, one of their most essential releases. The players are precise and master their respective instruments. The singing boasts lofty harmonies rivialed by few in this genre. Sorry hardcores, this is not bluegrass. It is pop music with arrangements influenced by breakdowns and other oldtimey techniques found in that arena. On a lot of these songs swap out a few instruments, plug in a couple, add drums, and you'd have a pop record. But nowhere near as good as this. What makes this CD compelling is the thoughtful use of traditional instrumentation and arranging in a modern way. Solid songwriting with a couple of imaginative covers make this a really nice one front to back."