It’s called Punk Bluegrass or Newgrass.
That’s how you categorize Old Man Markley. It’s likely not a sound you’ve heard before and that can really be a good thing.
It’s incredibly difficult to stand out in country music or in any kind of music. If you sound like someone else it’s hard to become your own artist, but if you’re entirely different you risk being a little too far out there for people.
I like different and I was excited to listen to the first album from Old Man Markley.
Album Review: Down Side Up
As you would expect, things get crazy on this record. It’s fast and in your face. It’s something you won’t forget anytime soon even from the very first listen.
1. Blood On My Hands
I would say things get off to a dark start on this record. The music has this dark sound and the lyrics dark about dark things like storms and crashing sounds. It’s quite the way to start a record. It’s an attention getter.
2. Rehearsal
This one takes a while for the words to come in. It’s a change from the first song on the record. It’s actually a change from the entire album. It’s a story song.
3. America’s Dreaming
This one goes a little deeper into the way the world works in America.
4. Come Around Here
This is another slower song. It’s pretty. I really like the music on this one. It starts out slow and picks up. I think it’s the fiddle that I like. The female takes the lead on this song.
5. Blindfold
I like the way this one sounds. It’s interesting. If you can get someone’s interest from the first note you know you have a good song.
6. So Much More
A really fast song with a good melody. I like this one.
7. Hard To Understand
This one has the most country sound to it. When it starts you feel like it’s from a movie or something. It’s a good song. I think it’s my favorite on the entire album.
8. Beyond The Moon
The title sounds like something Brooks & Dunn would have put out. The song is a little slower, but it’s good.
9. Hand Me Down
It’s only vocals to start this song. It’s pretty neat. There aren’t enough songs that start out this way. The song seems to be about a guy that wants to take the worries and everything else someone’s shoulders.
10. Up Side Down
We have a different singer on this track. It’s a woman’s perspective. I think it’s about a woman that’s falling for a guy or the love has come to an end. Her life is turned upside down.
11. Fastbreak
What a great title for a bluegrass song. This song gets off to a fast start and never slows down.
12. Train Of Thought
The music is fast, but the lyrics are slower. It gives you a chance to keep up with the story. From what I can tell it’s an observation about a person and how they live their life.
13. Too Soon For Goodnight
After listening to this entire record I have to say I like this bad. This song is a good way to finish. It’s a great way to pull out the last few moments of a great day or night. It’s an event you don’t want to end.
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