Stars and Satellites

I have stated before that I wince a bit when people try to classify groups like this into one genre or another. While this group could be considered bluegrass or country in its instrumentation and lean, there is a decidedly different feel. There is not much to consider traditional about this group. Somewhat like the Avett Brothers are blazing their own trail in the alt country scene, this group should not be far behind.Overall, what is growing and growing on me with this album is TBT's lean away from albums in the past where they sometimes seemed to sing songs in between playing hypersonic ones. There is absolutely nothing rushed here whatsoever and the songs are so intimate and at times they simply bleed hauntingly visceral sorrow that twist you with languid pulls on the fiddle (Widower's Heart, High Water, Midnight on the Interstate). This album is angst, honestly, and introspection smothered in mandolin and banjo(Calm and the Crying Wind). Beautiful is another song that is arranged so absolutely simple, they just plop a fat piece of emotion out on a plate for you to chew.You won't be disappointed by TBT's infamous uptempo digs either, tunes like Walt Whitman and Risk are impressive.I feel in a weird way that the group is maturing and spending hard time on the road and licking the wounds of life that we, ironically, get to enjoy in our own voyeuristic way.Get this album.

Stars and Satellites is one of those rare albums where every single song is enjoyable and gratifying. If you're just getting into TBT, this is a great place to start.As far as the band overall, it doesn't matter what genre of music you're normally into - if you appreciate good music, you'll probably love TBT.

For those who like modern bluegrass/folk, this CD does not disappoint. I rate it a top 3 with Mumford & Sons' "Babel" and The Avett Brothers' "The Carpenter."Stars and Satellites offers a much more melodic and refined sound with slightly slower pace than previous offerings, which may disappoint the thrashgrass crowd, but makes for a deeper, more endearing album the 200th time it's played. I haven't burned out on it yet, and it still has the ability to sooth my newborn.Though the album is great cover-to-cover, the first four tracks set the spectrum for the rest of the album. Midnight on the Interstate feels made to sing at full volume with windows down, Alone is a lively love song of sorts, Walt Whitman is lightning-fast and true to the thrashgrass style, and High Water is a haunting ballad that conjures images of fall nights and campfires.

Love, love, love it!I have to listen to Stars and Satellites a few (hundred?) more times to figure out if my favorite TBT song is on this album - especially since the last two albums  Duluth  (Methodism in Middle America, Duluth, and Shenandoah) and  Palomino  (Gasoline, Victory, and Wait So Long) had so many outstanding tracks. That said, as an album, I think it is a more cohesive collection of songs. They flow great when listening to the entire album and they are great individual songs that will work for the 'shufflers' out there.I like the direction this album has taken and I can't wait to see them when they tour this spring and summer.

The music on this album is a great time start-to-finish (FIVE STARS). Unfortunately, the pressing issue I received appears to be defective (ONE STAR). I picked up 4 copies and all have the same exact dimpling pattern across the B side. For three of the copies, it was bad enough to make the needle jump. It was clearly a QA miss (or cut corner in the production process all together). Buyer beware!

Heard this group' s name back in the spring in relation with Newport Folk Festival and thought - "What group is named Trampled by Turtles?" Then I started to hearing this great music, not knowing who performed it. When the two came together, I now thought, "How can you ever FORGET Trampled by Turtles?" If these guys are some of the posters boys for the way folk music is going these days, what a WONDERFUL direction for the genre! In a way, the new folk music will be as influential as the music of the 1960's.

Everything was great, quick to get here, priced moderately.

The name is whimsical but the music is anything but. Each song is a story and well told. I love the flow of the songs in order, much like listening to an LP. The unexpected joy of hearing an accordion that does not sound abused or like a mule in labor is one that adds to the overall feeling of goodness from hearing TBT. I love making pancakes for my family on weekends and though they probably did not plan it, this is a great record to jam to in the kitchen while mixing batter.

Great music.

Brilliant..........

Great album

Name made me check the band out but found a gem and will be looking for more by this excellent electric folk combo.