ACOUSTIC SYNDICATE
Terra Firma (Sugar Hill)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Built around a family core (brothers Fitz and Bryon McMurry and their cousin Steve McMurry, who are joined by bassist Jay Sanders), Acoustic Syndicate play with the kind of near-psychic ease that comes from long association, whether they're playing their own brand of newgrass, incorporating Caribbean rhythms or rocking out. They do plenty of each on their Sugar Hill debut.

While their sources are diverse, most of the music falls neatly within the Americana category you'd expect from their new label (the band has three previous self-released albums), with some jazzy touches added by guest saxophonist Jeremy Saunders. One of the predominate sounds, though, is Byron McMurray's banjo, which has attracted the attention of progressive bluegrass audiences, although he doesn't generally play in a conventional bluegrass style. Fitz is the drummer and Steve is the lead singer, guitarist and principle songwriter.

The role of principle songwriter is no small thing here, because the band really stands on the quality of its songs. Acoustic Americana quartets aren't exactly scarce these days, but damn few feature material as well developed as the songs on Terra Firma. They're also structured to give the band space to stretch into the instrumental improvisation that has made them as popular on the jam band circuit as they are on the bluegrass scene. With their considerable instrumental capabilities, well crafted songs and the enhanced distribution that their Sugar Hill deal offers, they're well positioned to break out of those niche markets, though, and we're likely to be hearing from them more and more. That's a good thing. More and more of music of this quality is always a good thing.

Track List:

Vanity * November * Red Birds * Better For This * The Ballad Of Marie St. Lauriette * Commentary * The Laughing Child * Fleeting Moments * One Way * 10:06 * My Turn * Terra Firma

© 2003 - Shaun Dale