The Grascals “Straighten the Curves” Album Review
Prime Cuts: Haggard, What God Looks Like, They Laughed
Overall Grade: 4.75/5
Too often bluegrass albums are too single-minded for their own good. In an effort to express technical virtuosity, many artists have placed so much emphasis on the speed and execution of the instruments that they forget about the quality of the songs. Thus, many bluegrass songs sound like bullet trains trying to make it to the finish line in record time without manifesting much personalities. Such a fallacy has been wisely avoided by the Grascals on their latest Mountain Home Music effort "Straighten the Curves." The pride of this new record is that the band has taken the time to choose their songs. They have cast their nets wide enough that they have even extend beyond their own genre to include some country material, some Gospel tunes, and a sparkling instrumental.
"Straighten the Curves" is the sextet's much anticipated followup to their 2017's #1 Bluegrass album "Before Breakfast." The album is already preceded by the #1 track "Heartbreak Hall of Fame" - an explication of unrequited love told with great creativity and vividness. Despite the album's titular, the band does throw a few unexpected curved balls with this release. Who would have thought a song about the life of a dog "Haggard" is so affectionate that it's fast becoming one of their signature tunes? The lilting melody and the wistful lyrics truly bring out the animal lover in us.
They also show an aptitude for adventure when they choose to bluegrassify the late Eddie Rabbitt's #1 country hit "Driving My Life Away." Removing the cheesy 80s-sounding synth from the original, Grascals' version brings out the urgency inherent in the song. As with every record, the Grascals have always indulged in a few Christian songs, and this album is no exception. Best among them is the ballad "They Laughed." Stringing together narratives of how people who have been frowned at by the world with the story of how many have rejected Christ, "They Laughed" wisely anchors our worth in Christ.
Another heart warmer is "What Does God Look Like" - nuanced from the perspective of an inquisitive child, she brings to her daddy a litany of questions of what God is like. The song is ultimately sobering reminder that our children's perception of the Father is contingent upon our witnesses and testimonies. More visceral moments come with the country-sounding "Don't Leave Your Memory Behind." Not to be missed is the old time sounding "The Shepherd of My Valley"; this song is instantaneously catchy with some heavenly sounding finger-picking banjo licks to boot.
The Grascals have worked long and hard not only to create an album rife with great technical virtuoso but they have taken the extra effort to find songs that touch the heart and drives the feet. Songs that are easy to hum too yet deep enough to make us reflective. This album is a rare find in bluegrass music.
Tags : the grascals bluegrass Bluegrass Gospel grascals new album The Grascals “Straighten the Curves” Album Review grascals news eddie rabbitt
Hot Trends
-
GRAMMY-Award Winning Christian Artist Mandisa Passes Away
-
Read TobyMac's Moving Tribute to the Late Diverse City Band's Gabe Patillo
-
Hillsong Worship Former Leader Miriam Webster Gets Married
-
Is Taylor Swift a Christian?
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
Travis Tritt Invites Fans to the ‘Country Chapel’ with LIVE Gospel Concert Television Special and DVD
-
Jerry Savelle, Televangelist & Prosperity Gospel Preacher, Dies
-
Local Police Offers Update on Mandisa's Death
-
7 Things to Know About Brothers of the Heart's "Listen to the Music"
-
Did Noah’s Flood Really Happen? New Film, "The Ark and The Darkness," Presents Undeniable Proof
-
Ben Fuller Collaborates With "American Idol's" Megan Danielle On New Version of "If I Got Jesus"
-
Black Music Honors 2024 to Honor Johnny Gill, Patrice Rushen, Bootsy Collins and Hezekiah Walker
-
Hear the Story Behind Getty’s "Christ Our Hope in Life and Death"
-
Gabe Patillo, Voice Actor And TobyMac Diverse City Member, Passes Away
-
Joy Williams Reveals the Real Reason Behind Civil War's Breakup
Most Popular
-
GRAMMY-Award Winning Christian Artist Mandisa Passes Away
-
Read TobyMac's Moving Tribute to the Late Diverse City Band's Gabe Patillo
-
Hillsong Worship Former Leader Miriam Webster Gets Married
-
Is Taylor Swift a Christian?
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
Travis Tritt Invites Fans to the ‘Country Chapel’ with LIVE Gospel Concert Television Special and DVD
-
Jerry Savelle, Televangelist & Prosperity Gospel Preacher, Dies
-
Local Police Offers Update on Mandisa's Death
-
7 Things to Know About Brothers of the Heart's "Listen to the Music"
-
Did Noah’s Flood Really Happen? New Film, "The Ark and The Darkness," Presents Undeniable Proof
-
Ben Fuller Collaborates With "American Idol's" Megan Danielle On New Version of "If I Got Jesus"
-
Black Music Honors 2024 to Honor Johnny Gill, Patrice Rushen, Bootsy Collins and Hezekiah Walker
-
Hear the Story Behind Getty’s "Christ Our Hope in Life and Death"
-
Gabe Patillo, Voice Actor And TobyMac Diverse City Member, Passes Away
-
Joy Williams Reveals the Real Reason Behind Civil War's Breakup