Muscle Shoals Recordings, The

The Steeldrivers
“The Muscle Shoals Recordings”
Label: Rounder Records
Joseph
Reviewed 6/22/15

Excellent traditional bluegrass, much of it original, on this, the band’s 4th studio
album. Realness, rawness, and edge in the band’s sound. Jason Isbell contributes
on two tracks.

1 – (3:45) Long Way Down* Fantastic mid-tempo breakup bluegrass shouter, wow!
2 – (2:41) Drinkin’ Alone* Bouncy mid-tempo drinking song, funny & fine.
3 – (3:13) Ashes Of Yesterday* Fine ¾ time vocal duet, nicely done.
4 – (3:11) Day Before Temptation* Dark, brooding cautionary tale, excellent, mid.
5 – (3:26) Here She Goes* Lovely, tender, slower breakup song, so fine.
6 – (2:47) California Chainsaw Decent mid-up instrumental by banjoist Richard Bailey.
7 – (2:53) Hangin’ Around Good Gary Nichols original, sweet song of loyalty/love.
8 – (3:42) Brother John* Dark & haunting ballad of illicit love, murder, reprisal.
9 – (3:07) Six Feet Away* Dark song of mortality, mid-tempo, excellent.
10 – (3:43) Too Much* Fine & fun send-up of overstimulation, excess, mid-tempo.
11 – (4:01) River Runs Red* Slow, somber & lovely Civil War song, fantastic!