By: David Schultz

As if transported from another time, Railroad Earth keeps alive the essence of down-home American music, capturing the true flavor of bluegrass, country and folk by remaining loyal to the traditional ethos from which our musical heritage was born. Playing all acoustic instruments, their live shows are a remarkable forum for the marvelous interplay and put to rest any misguided thoughts that you need to be plugged in to turn on a crowd. On Amen Corner, their first studio album in four years, Railroad Earth touches on many of the same time-honored musical themes as the Grateful Dead and The Band, creating a disc that nestles nicely with American Beauty and Music From Big Pink.

Bolstered by catchy songs like the brightly gritty “Hard Livin’” and the boozy levee’s-gonna-break boogie of “Walkin’ The Dog,” Amen Corner shows why Railroad Earth has been at the center of the growing “jamgrass” movement, a scene that thrives on the festival circuit, gaining more converts each season. Lead singer Todd Sheaffer’s twangy vocals and Tim Carbone’s Opryland quality violin give Railroad Earth their distinctive sound but it’s the flourishes of John Skehan (mandolin), Johnny Grubb (bass), Corey Harmon (drums) and Andy Goessling (everything else) that add texture to everything Railroad Earth does and gives Amen Corner its well rounded finish.

Amen Corner’s best moments are when Railroad Earth puts a little bounce into their step. The opener “Been Down This Road” has an old timey feel and “Little Bit O’ Me” sashays along nicely on a spry two-step beat. They more than make up for the sometimes dreary, slow paced tunes like “You Never Know” and “Lovin’ You.” Amen Corner walks a fine line: it sounds very much like a modern-day folk album while bristling with music derived from America’s prairie days. Making Railroad Earth’s authenticity that much more amazing is that they hail from the decidedly unfolky realm of New Jersey, making them the best thing to greet people from that state since Springsteen said hi from Asbury Park.

Labels: Railroad Earth