Welcome to the pond

MINI REVIEW: NICKEL CREEK "NICKEL CREEK"

Artist: Nickel Creek
Album Title: Nickel Creek
Genre: Acoustic/Bluegrass/Folk
2000
Sugar Hill Records

When did I buy it?: I received it for Christmas in the year 2002.

Why did I buy it?: I first heard of Nickel Creek when they came through "town" (more accurately, they came to a town about 15 minutes away from Eugene city limits) in 2001 or 2002 to perform. I read about them in the newspaper, but I couldn't go to the show. I was slightly intrigued, but not enough to go all the way out to a rural vineyard to see the band's concert.

Several months after they came through the area, I decided to look them up on the internet and see what their music was like. I was starting to gain an interest in bluegrass music then, and thus I was a bit more receptive to the music they make. I found that I really enjoyed their songs, which are bright and acoustic with a fresh sound. I put their self-titled album on my Christmas list and got it, and I've been a fan of Nickel Creek ever since. I even saw them live in 2004 and the concert was really spectacular.

What are the best songs?: What AREN'T the best songs? This album is packed full of gems. I'll start by mentioning their instrumentals. "Ode To A Butterfly," "House Of Tom Bombadil" and "Cuckoo's Nest" are all great bluegrassy tunes with fine musicianship by all members of the band (Chris Thile on mandolin, Sean Watkins on guitar and Sara Watkins on fiddle). "Cuckoo's Nest" in particular is a fun thing to listen to with its slight Celtic influences.

"Robin and Marian" is a surprising instrumental. It sounds similar to something you might hear at a Renaissance fair. In the middle of the tune, though, the band breaks into a brief bluegrass breakdown. It comes totally unexpected and shakes things up with joy.

"Nickel Creek" also has quite a few ballads. "When You Come Back Down" is the song that turned me on to Nickel Creek, and Chris Thile sings it beautifully. Sean and Sara harmonize with him too, something the three musicians do quite frequently in their songs. There is not a trace of twang to be heard, and all three have goregous voices in addition to instrumental chops. "The Lighthouse's Tale" is a sad story that takes the listener on a real journey. Chris' strong vocals carry the emotional lyrics while the band members switch from tender playing to a bouncier bluegrass boogie.

"Sweet Afton" is possibly my favorite song on the entire album. It's a lovely ballad that uses a Robert Burns poem for lyrics. It's gentle and soothing and shows how talented Nickel Creek really is.

"The Fox" is neither instrumental nor ballad. It's a traditional bluegrass tune carried by Chris Thile's amazing mandolin playing and Sara Watkins' sunny fiddling. It's one of the most fun songs on the album and helps end the album on a good note before the slower final track.

Any bad stuff?: Speaking of that final track, "Pastures New" is beautiful but doesn't really do it for me somehow. Perhaps it's missing some vocals to really bring it to life.

Some listeners may be put off by the religious themes in "The Hand Song" (and the more subtle religious message in "Reasons Why," which I don't really notice). Musically, I can't make out any weak points. Every track here is strong.

Overall thoughts: What an amazing album! Somehow Nickel Creek has taken miles and miles of beauty and subtlety, rollicking instrumental romps, and a chestful of influences from Irish to pop to Lord Of The Rings and packaged it all into twelve songs. I'm amazed at how good they all are at both playing their chosen instruments and also singing and harmonizing.

This album is like a concentrated drop of sunshine that breaks into a shimmering light when played. Later efforts by Nickel Creek have been more eclectic and adventerous, but Nickel Creek has never been as purely beautiful and simple as they were on their debut. You can't classify this album as anything but great music, because that's exactly what it is.

Album score: 5 out of 5