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Nickel Creek - Why Should the Fire Die

About.com Rating threehalf out of Five

By Kim Ruehl, About.com

Nickel Creek - Why Should the Fire Die CD Cover

Nickel Creek - Why Should the Fire Die?

Sugar Hill, 2005

The Bottom Line

Sara and Sean Watkins and their childhood friend Chris Thile have been making great bluegrass music together practically since the day they stepped out of diapers. Their skills have raised eyebrows on both sides of the aisle, but based on their performances on Why Should the Fire Die?, they've decided to strike out in some more daring directions. These directions take them through the realms of rock & roll, alternative country, and even through their roots in Bluegrass.
Pros
  • "Stumptown"
  • "Helena"
  • "Doubting Thomas"
Cons
  • This CD is definitely not for the traditionalist Bluegrassers

Description

  • Not your granddaddy's Bluegrass record
  • A series of sad, embittered love songs and at least one great bluegrass instrumental jam
  • The band's most experimental record to date

Guide Review - Nickel Creek - Why Should the Fire Die

Nickel Creek features three of the most prodigious young players in Bluegrass. But this is not a bluegrass record. What it is isn't exactly clear. At times ("When In Rome") it sounds a lot like the soundtrack for Rent. At other times ("Doubting Thomas"), it sounds a little like the Carpenters. Still other times, ("Stumptown"), the Bluegrass roots shine through and these "kids" let their fierce playing skills blare seemingly effortlessly.

For hard core Bluegrass fans, this CD is going to come as a disappointment. But then, for hardcore bluegrass fans, Nickel Creek was never your band from the beginning. Sure, these darlings of the IBMA are celebrated by folk and fiddle festivals far and wide for bringing a new ilk of fans (and their wallets) to the festivals. But let's face it: there's something a little more rock and roll about Nickel Creek, and they seem to have finally decided to try to figure out what that is.

This CD is full of somewhat embittered tunes of relationships gone wrong, and Sara's high, lonely fiddle solos keep that thread running throughout.

But what's always been great about the siblings Watkins and their compatriot Chris Thile is still great: they can all sing beautifully, and they have a fierce command over their instruments. But while they figure out what kind of music they want to write, I'll take whatever it is they're doing for now.
Listen/Download Why Should the Fire Die?

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