The Misty Mountain String Band - Red Horizon (2016)

"Rhythmic and unhurried, they’re more focused on layering than speed, producing the old-timey feel of folk and the mathematical vibe of jazz.” – Leo Weekly

Drawing influence from old-time music, americana, and bluegrass, The Misty Mountain String Band (MMSB) doesn’t stray far from their musical roots in Kentucky. After 4 years of touring and three albums MMSB has grown from those roots into an accomplished band with, “a sound that is synonymous with the Bluegrass State” - The Setlist.

Their newest release, Red Horizon, is a multifaceted exploration much like its predecessors, but is more focused and tempered from the band's years of performing. Tracks like “Blooming Rose”, “Birds and Bees”, and “The Man in the Middle” have more traditional sounds, combining the melodic clawhammer style of Paul Martin with the progressive fiddling of Neal Green. A more modern approach is taken to the arrangements of the rest of the album. Songs such as “Red Horizon”, “Slipped My Mind”, and “Martine” are more reminiscent of Newgrass Revival than the Bluegrass Boys, with subtle influences of modern pop and rock music coloring the sound. “Boss Higgins” and “Captain Cooley”, both instrumental tracks, showcase the bands technical skill as well as dynamics and phrasing.

As LEO Weekly said, “Like most modern bluegrass, an allegiance to multiple genres is apparent when listening to Misty Mountain String Band, but they strike a stable and realistic balance between roots and individualism, stretching their reach in different directions, while maintaining the core of a storied sound.” In the age of digital downloads and shuffle, Red Horizon stands out as an album in the traditional sense: a cohesive unit from packaging down to thematic content-it's a collection of their stories packaged neatly and excellently for their fans