Punch Brothers - Who's Feeling Young Now?

Applying labels is an easy and sometimes necessary thing -- we all do it. But to simply pigeonhole Punch Brothers as a bluegrass band -- even with the indie-friendly "progressive" attached -- is to miss the larger more interesting picture. We thnk we already know what "bluegrass" is...or do we? Assembled originally to support Nickel Creek frontman Chris Thile for a 2006 solo project, the collection of virtuoso acoustic players doesn't dwell in anything remotely "old timey" -- this is a completely modern, collaborative effort that often sounds more like swirling, densely layered classical minimalism and genre-blurring songcraft than simply some rural hootenanny. New album Who's Feeling Young Now (February 14, Nonesuch), the Brothers' third album and followup to 2010's Jon Brion-produced Antifogmatic, continues the stringed adventure with noted producer Jacquire King (Tom Waits, Kings of Leon) manning the studio board.

Lead track "Movement and Location" sets the exhilarating pace with flurry of notes that sounds like a string-band studying the hypnotic trance-like compositions of neo-classicist Steve Reich. There are retro-jazz elements, somber ballads and songs that play out like delicate indie rock tapestries. "We’ve gotten a lot more comfortable in our skin," observes Thile, an outlook confirmed by the album's array of disparate influences and daring moves. But "comfortable" is the key here. It's one thing to take chances -- it's another to pull them off with such remarkable ease. "Clara" is glorious anthem of chiming chords and Thile's soaring vocals (and a song that could be easily reworked as a modern rock classic) while "Soon Or Nevers"' sweetly tempered harmonies and stately pace offers a mellow respite.

 

Punch Brothers - "Movement and Location" (from Who's Feeling Young Now?)

Punch Brothers - Who's Feeling Young Now? Sampler (Clara, No Concern of Yours, Patchwork Girlfriend, Soon or Never)

Photo Credit: Lincoln Andrew DeFer