Steve Martin - "The Long Awaited Album”

Steve Martin
"The Long Awaited Album"
2017
Spotify

We've all heard it, Steve Martin gave up comedy to play in a bluegrass band. It's true and they've finally done more than a few shows here and there by releasing an album. It's really good stuff, fun and bright bluegrass music that cuts right to the heart of Americana. It is even Bluegrass done at a higher level than a lot of what we hear from the genre. Minus the cult of celebrity which Martin has been trying to distance himself from this is a downright good record. I think I am a little too young to have gotten the full Steve Martin impact. "The Jerk" seemed weird and really the only role i fully associated him with was "Father of the Bride". As a singer He's ok, but still manages to craft witty little numbers. "Caroline" was the first single and the first glimpse we get at the Steve Martin vocal about a lost love who simply cannot leave your mind. It's a fun song that gets to the point quickly and you can instantly connect and that really is what the whole album is. The sense of sweetness and innocent love is paramount to the whole record. It takes you back to a forgone time where Trump doesn't matter, North Korea isn't on your mind and you can sit quietly with someone you love. When they are in that vein "The Long Awaited Album" could not sound better, its when they get into the more technical bluegrass like on "Office Supplies" that they may lose you a bit.

There had a to a real balance between the humor and earnest song writing on this album or people simply would have written it off but Martin manages to find it right away. "Strangest Christmas" is the one track where they really let loose on the comedy, and it's fine if not a little childish. It is quite amazing though how many good songs Martin is able to pump out in just under 40 minutes. It would be nice if there were a few more raucous moments, but He's an old man for Christ's sake, what more can we expect? Though it is very pleasant there are times where "The Long Awaited Album" can feel somewhat one note like on "Nights in the Lab". It just feels like territory we have already covered and the circle back doesn't quite make sense. In the end though this is a pretty awesome record and one you can get into. Don't expect it to be blazing up the top 40 charts anytime soon, but it is still a really fun listen.

8.0 out of 10