Returning from a four-year hiatus, the Duluth, Minnesota based bluegrass band Trampled by Turtles released their eighth studio album, Life Is Good on the Open Road. In the fall of 2016, after touring for 2014’s experimental Wild Animals release, Trampled by Turtles agreed to a little time apart to pursue other personal and creative endeavors – like frontman Dave Simonett’s solo project Dead Man Winter. Trampled by Turtles reunited in 2017 to record Life is Good on the Open Road – this time opting for a simpler back-to-basics approach with a single microphone to analog tape. The result is an album that is equal parts infectious and poignant, with songs that range from raucous barnburners to ramblin’ acoustic numbers and heartfelt ballads. Highlights include: the rowdy opener, “Kelly’s Bar”; the reflective track “We All Get Lonely”; the beautiful “Thank You, John Steinbeck”; the self-deprecating “I Went to Hollywood”; the scorching “Blood in the Water”; and the tender closing track “I Learn the Hard Way.” Life is Good on the Open Road is a refreshing return to their roots for Trampled by Turtles. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | The Avett Brothers, The Brothers Comatose, Greensky Bluegrass, Old Crow Medicine Show