Published on May 2, 2003
Acoustic Syndicate is living proof that you can’t make
assumptions based on liner notes. On the surface, it’s easy to
pigeonhole this band; they’re on Sugar Hill Records, they have a
lead banjo player, must be newgrass or bluegrass, right? Wrongo,
buddy. Acoustic Syndicate is a mixed-breed bastard of a band,
likely to cut back and forth without warning from roots music to
pop grooves that put you in mind of the best of Dave Matthews or
Blues Traveler.
Terra Firma, their newest release, is a tight and tasty bit
of genuine musical novelty, a band of real rural musicians who
between recording suggestions and tour dates put up canned goods
and hold family hoedowns (three of the four band members are
cousins). Add to this bucolic intermixture some real talent, and
this is a band and a CD to cherish.
The musicianship is impeccable. The first and strongest note is
that of lead vocalist Steve “Big Daddy” McMurry, whose soaring,
powerful vocals put one in mind of a gospel-tinged Gordon
Lightfoot. Weave into that some of the best harmonies I’ve heard in
a very long time and what you have is nothing short of magic. Of
course, once you get past that, there’s another delight to discover
in the banjo of Bryon McMurry. The band’s official bio says it
best; Bryon plays banjo like a guitar player, and evokes sounds
that some traditional musicians would be hard-pressed to
back-engineer, much less reproduce. The bass and percussion are
solid and well-mixed; there’s no complaints to be had at all in the
album’s sound.
There’s only one hurdle left, the songs… and they’re pure
gold. The arching, aching harmonies of “The Ballad of Marie St
Laurette,” the tongue-in-cheek social commentary of “Vanity,” the
bright, intense “Commentary,” the brooding “One Way”…twelve
tracks and twelve hits. There are no misses here, no weak spots;
Terra Firma is magnificent. Add in some surprises like the
soprano saxophone on “Fleeting Moments,” and the package is
complete.
This is a strong contender to show up on this year’s Top Ten
list. Don’t miss it.