Nickel Creek is back. After a horrible live album, which sounded like it was a 3 a.m. jam session recorded in a small bathroom, Nickel Creek has a decent, if not perfect CD.
There are good, downhome pickin' and fiddlin' tunes, like Stumptown and somewhat rocking modern tunes like Best of Luck. Good Cindy Lauper imitation from Sara. The first cut, When in Rome is a nice minor bluesy tune with a nice stomp to it that builds and builds. Sara shines on Tomorrow is a Long Time, and the mandolin and fiddle duet on that tune is smart and charming. Anthony is a Paul McCartney caberet swing tune. This one should have been a "hidden track" at the end of the CD. Can't Complain is a Simon/Garfunkel style song with a Bookends feel. Doubting Thomas is another nice folky type tune with a chorus that would make Paul Simon happy. Eveline, with it's shifting key center is an outtake from the Beatles White album. It's better than most of the experimental stuff on Thiles recent solo trip, but it will have to grow on me fast or it won't last on my ipod mini for long. First and Last Waltz is an echo of Bill Monroes Last Days on Earth tune, heavy on the reverb and a bit more of the shifting tonal center. The Beatleish ending makes a good intro to a Helena, a contemporary ballad with soothing violin and bass work.
The cd ends with sweet, Crosby, Stills and Nash harmony and a sad, haunting melody.