On the Infamous Stringdusters' debut, the progressive group "sweep" us off our feet is simply with very solid musicianship and material. The terms that bands dream up to describe their music is interesting. Playing "fearless vibrograss," we immediately sense that these guys have created a sound that is bold, daring and pulsating. 

The band's seed was planted when Chris Eldridge (guitar), Chris Pandolfi (banjo), and Andy Hall (Dobro) met in Boston in 2002 and started performing as Stablehorse. Relocating to Nashville in 2004, the band went full-time with the addition of Jesse Cobb (mandolin), Jeremy Garrett (fiddle), and Travis Book (bass). Their debut album showcased the band's three lead singers (Andy, Jeremy, Travis) and other vocal support from the two Chrises. 

The Infamous Stringdusters' musical maturity can be traced to the band members' recording, touring or performing with such noted acts as Ronnie Bowman's Committee, Earl Scruggs, Dolly Parton, Charlie Daniels, Tony Rice, Seldom Scene, Chris Thile, New England Bluegrass Band, Bering Strait, Drew Emmitt, Bobby Osborne, Chris Jones, Audie Blaylock, Lee Ann Womack, Mike Snider, Jim Lauderdale, Melonie Cannon, Fox Family, Valerie Smith, Broke Mountain, and Benny "Burle" Galloway. Wow, that's an impressive list of talented musicians who have taught, mentored and inspired them! We can hear some of their influences in the musical presentation or repertoire of The Infamous Stringdusters. Chris Eldridge is Seldom Scene member Ben Eldridge's son. Besides a healthy amount of fresh, original material, there are interspersed offerings written by Chris Jones/John Pennell, Glenn Garrett (Jeremy's dad), John Mayer, Benny Galloway, and Boston folksinger Geoff Bartley. Thus, they don't shy away from decent singer/songwriter and folk material, which allows them to succeed equally well on the bluegrass, jamgrass and folk touring circuits. 

Picking and singing like very seasoned veterans with decades of experience, these guys have found an ideal formula for balancing their youthful exuberance, melodic eloquence, and lyrical expression. Their arrangements are dynamic and give all a chance to shine like chrome. Hence, another reference to their string cleansing abilities. In a sense, they are masters of catharsis with an inherent ability to release emotions, create force and relieve tension with their music. 

If you're liberal, open-minded and tolerant of new directions in string music, then you'll appreciate what these boys are doing with their vibrograss. If your definition of bluegrass has significant boundaries, then you might equate their infamy with evil. But the long and short of it is that this group has been well received at IBMA's annual convention and trade show. Despite the message in the title cut, "Fork in the Road" indicates this band is both decisive and incisive. The Infamous Stringdusters knows which way they want to go to maximize their potential and reach their promised land full of milk and honey. The Stringdusters' wires are very polished, and I just wonder if they do windows and clean house as well as they pick. (Joe Ross)