[.ca] Good Life (W/1 Bonus Track)

Unearthly Talent:
At some point in the future, if there is any justice in the world of music, some learned scholar will analyze the musically complex and critically acclaimed career of the band Railroad Earth. He'll begin by noting they started out as a group of acoustic pickers and scratchers whose musical chops were right up there with jam grassers of the first order. The writer will note that they hit the road constantly where their band of Hobos (fans) learned a secret not many knew-this was a great live band. Raveups like "Head" would take acoustic music into instrumental realms it had rarely seen before, and its fans into ecstasy. Their first two magnificent albums earned rave reviews and decent sales but not the kind of numbers any group of musicians this good deserves. Then, the critic will note, with their third album, "The Good Life," Railroad Earth surprised critics and fans alike with a selection of songs that diverted from expectations so much that it wasn't perceived merely as a growth process but as a major change in direction. It's too early, now, to tell if the new direction is a permanent change, just a diversion, or the beginning of a new period in the continued growth of this remarkable band. First off, the disc itself. The news is good, very, very good. The album, which de-emphasizes the considerable bluegrassian instrumental genius of the Jersey Sextet, is a selection of songs perfectly suited for the times, filled with mellifluous harmonies, romantic imagery and a wicked sense of humor. The funniest line is from the unlisted, unnamed 12th song, which may be be for New Jersey what "I Love L.A." is to the City of Angels, a catchy satire too good to ignore. ("Old man Stewart burned his house down in a fire, tossed his britches in the oven and his pork chops in the dryer.") That's more the exception. Led by the sweetly distinctive sound of Todd Sheaffer, a voice you might expect if Bob Dylan and Roger McGuinn had a baby, The Good Life takes the listener through emotional and lyrical journeys of urban dismay and rural longing. Songwriter Sheaffer evokes pastoral and nostalgic images without straying into the world of icky over-sentimentality. That's what makes you appreciate and, I suspect, love this new album. The title track, "In the Basement, "Say What You Mean" and particularly "The Mourning Flies" are drop dead gorgeous, the one instrumental begs to be heard live, and after ten listenings, I've found the disc to be nearly flawless. Which doesn't mean I don't miss the power and instrumental brilliance represented on the earlier CDs, in shorter supply here. The only criticism I can come up with is Railroad Earth may be a victim of the breadth of their talent. Enjoy them while they're our little secret.

This Album Steals the Show:
Imagine a 60's Byrds type vibe, with one part New Grass revival, a pinch of Grateful Dead-esque jam sounds, a dollop of Neil Young inspired rock topped off with evocative roots/pop songwriting, and there you have this album. This album pulls together the best ingredients of many different genres to make an incredible record that you can't help but to play it the whole way through. The album is unique in that it is very fun and yet retains an enormous amount of integrity. "Storms" is a beautiful and fun intro for this album (and my personal favorite). The album also contains bluegrass jams like "Bread and Water" and more melodic tunes like "Say What You Mean." This is a beautifully written feel good album and I would recommend it to any music fan.

RRE Keeps Steamrollin' Along:
The arresting beauty and soft playfulness of RRE's music begins ever so charmingly with the first notes of the first song, "Storms" It takes me back to those wondrous Midwestern evenings when storms would be boiling on the horizon, but beyond the strange sense of awe- you felt safe. I've been a fan ever since I read a review in Relix magazine several years ago when their debut album arrived on the shelves. The simple fact is this- these guys just keep getting better and better with each progressive album. "The Good Life" will do nothing more than beget a genuine smile. If not, there is something seriously wrong with you. "Said What You Mean" is simply one of the most beautiful love songs employed by music. Come dream it with me. If you haven't listened to RRE, you are missing out on some rare musical beauty and rollicking fun. I strongly recommend this album along with any of their other releases. If you enjoy bluegrass, jamgrass, jambands, or just music in general- I'm sure you will be more than pleased with this and any other release by RRE. Do yourself a favor, and add this to your collection.

More great Todd:
Disclaimer: I've seen From Good Homes live many, many times, and always loved Todd's music. I want to give this community a fan's first impression: 1) The song that gives the greatest first impression is "Long Way To Go": it's a tremendous romp. A signature song, and I envy everyone who gets to hear it live. 2) "Storms" starts with a long intro "ahhhhh", kind of how I felt when I got to spin a new album from Todd. RRE preform a song about getting through troubled times, such a common topic that the song highlights the qualities of the band rather than the qualities of the song's subject. You'd swear that Todd is channeling Neil Young. 3) The title song, "The Good Life" defines a laid-back quality that pervades the album, expressing a certain weariness that reminds me of R.E.M's Automatic For The People. Yet this comparison also highlights the pastoral qualities of RRE versus the urban(?) qualities of R.E.M, and most current-day pop music. The pastoral qualities create a great part of RRE's uniqueness. 4) "Mourning Flies" has a soulful, contemplative quality that builds into a quiet anthem song, so well suited to Todd's voice and RRE's signature acoustic sound. 5) "Way Of The Buffalo" - back to New Orleans, so it picks up from, yet is dramatically different than "Fruitful Acre." 6) One of my complaints about RRE is that they occasionally trip into the LightFM equivalent of acoustic, bluegrass-styled music. The album in spots gets in this mode, most specifically, "In The Basement" (bring back spacey Johnny please). Highly recommended.

Boo Ya!!! Too good to share!!:
Wow, it's taken quite a few thousand albums to inspire me to write a review of a new album... This follow-up to Bird in a House (also a brilliant album) is absolutely fantastic. I was sold on the band the moment I first heard them on their debut The Blackbear Sessions. I then saw them live in Waitsfield, VT (see title track # 5, Good Life, "went up the Mad River Valley and never looked back...") and realized that I was completely sold. I have to admit, with a slight change of style I was ready for a let-down. Good Life was just the opposite. I've never listened to an album (well maybe Dark Side of the Moon) so many times. I left it in the truck and it made me want to drive all the time. The album is strong throughout, with my favorites being: #1: Storms A ghostly ambience like the moments just before the rain starts pouring down, except with tempo and smooth melodies #3: Mourning Flies Another haunting melody that digs deep and hits you, paving the way for a firm quiet jam #4: Long Way to Go This song could have been written in 60's/70's, by Creedence Clearwater Revival. One of the catchy tune on the album, I've been whistling and mouthing this one for weeks. #6: Said What You Mean A purely original, not quite tear-jerking ballad. From start to finish exactly what I want to be listening to. It makes me feel a little like I'm back in middle school in that I haven't been this moved by a ballad since then. Te rest of the tunes on the album.. they blow away some of the finest on other recent albums from related bands. If you haven't listened to any RRE shame on you.

• Storms
• Bread and Water
• Mourning Flies
• Long Way Go To
• Good Life
• In the Basement
• Water Fountain Quicksand
• Goat
• Said What You Mean
• Way of the Buffalo
• 'Neath the Stars