The Old Radio

To outsiders, one bluegrass band sounds a lot like the next. Banjos, mandolins, and high tenors blend together to create a rough mix of backwoods music. To those in the know, however, subtle differences separate the chaff from the wheat. Pine Mountain Railroad, for instance, adopts the music of Bill Monroe, adds a few contemporary touches, and tops it off with genuine emotion on The Old Radio. And like old radio itself, the band mixes traditional songs with originals and throws in an occasional cover just for the fun of it. The upbeat "All the Hay's in the Barn" jump-starts the album with nice group harmony, fancy banjo picking, and a nice lead by writer Jim Whaley. The title cut pays homage to the good old days and the classic bluegrass bands that laid the groundwork for bands like Pine Mountain Railroad. The group offers a real twist with its four-minute version of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing," a song most traditional fans wouldn't admit knowing, although it sounds pretty down to earth here. Pine Mountain Railroad does a good job mixing old and new bluegrass styles without sounding like a watered-down version of either. Bluegrass fans will appreciate this combination of professionalism and feeling on The Old Radio. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr., Rovi