I have long been a fan of bluegrass style music. My Father brought me up on it as a kid, and although I didn’t appreciate it’s subtle nuances at first, I grew to love it as my move across the pond neared ever closer. When I was told that we had to listen to a bluegrass album for a grade, I was quite excited. After much debate, I settled on Yonder Mountain String Band’s debut album, Elevation, which was released in 1999. The album starts out with quite possibly the groups most famous song, Half Moon Rising, and that set the tone for what would be one of the most fun experiences with music I’ve had to date. The album seems to straddle new and traditional bluegrass at times, such as the hard driving “Mental Breakdown” which features great picking, both from the guitar and banjo. Other highlights include “40 Miles to Denver” which is not as technically difficult as some other songs, but is still catchy to say the least. “To Say Goodbye, To Be Forgiven” is a slower, more pensive song, that provides beautiful contrast to the faster, more upbeat songs. This album features some beautiful, if slightly unpolished, vocal work, and that is what I think gives the album it’s charm. Bluegrass is all about roots, and how these musicians pay homage to the greats that came before them. Yonder Mountain is one of the best examples that I have found that blend both traditional bluegrass and modern, more progressive bluegrass in a well-crafted mix. Overall, this album is great from the first track to the last. I’m definitely a huge YMSB fan now!