SHADOWY BLUEGRASS. At times, the Evergreen Grass Band’s debut album, For Sheriff , shuns traditional bluegrass, but it’s got something for grass-lovers of all kinds.

It is always reason to celebrate when a favorite band releases their first CD. Bluegrass and string band fans in the Valley will find much to enjoy on the new CD from EverGreen Grass Band.

Based in Eau Claire, this six-member group shuns the traditional bluegrass approach and jumps out with pleasant surprises – no stock banjo solos and no standard vocals; each tune stands on its own as a fun diversion from the time-worn groove of predictability. The die hard veterans of traditional bluegrass will raise an eyebrow here and there, but my money says they will enjoy this collection as proof that bluegrass offers something for everyone.

Recently I headed to the Homegrown Kickoff Bluegrass Festival. 

When the traffic broke and open highway beckoned, out came the CD. Now, if you’re like me, a true test of a good recording is “will it play to the highway?”

This disc met the challenge; three tunes in and my travel buddies and I were toe tapping andsinging along as though we’d been fans for decades. The hook for us, as my husband put it, was the fact that we had never heard any of these tunes before – every track is an original EverGreen composition and the band’s style is as refreshing as these young fellers attitudes: have a lot to say, play it fast (but not hard!), and dump the weary arrangements for some jambusting, kick ass takes on the traditional sound.

The first track, Rusty Nail, evokes the challenges and ironies of modern life, yet convincesthe listener that all is well in the reassuring tag on the chorus: “Sometimes I’m barely even scraping by … I will get by.” The arrangement includes a few tricks that really work – a little timing jump, the harmonica demanding equal time, and great vocals that soothe without placating. Written by guitarist Tim Litscher, this first track really sets the tone for the whole disc; energy, musicianship, and a “we’re all in this together “ attitude grounds the band’s sound into a solid offering. If this tune doesn’t get you moving, you are dead.

    On a recording of all originals, one expects to find some gems and For Sheriff (the CD’s title) does not disappoint. While the fresh vocal phrasing stands solid against a more traditional chord arrangement on Confess I’m a Mess, the youthful optimism in Tim’s lyrics, “All we need is all around us” evokes the reassuring equivalent of a musical mother’s embrace. Great stuff.

My favorite track is Backroad Stretches, from the pen of mandolinist Caleb Horne, who gets to host this party with expert chops. This tune offers the best vocal arrangements on the recording and shows off the the band’s ability to draw on a tradition of sweet, powerful songwriting.

As with any band bustin’ out a new recording, EverGreen plays tongue-in-cheek tribute to pushing the boundaries of the genre with the playful Six Reasons I’m Single. This is a pure, old fashioned, jug band ragtime stomp through cheekiness and defiance; think great Uncle Leon’s barbershop quartet on steroids. There is no moss on these boys.

In all, the band succeeds and satisfies the need for non-traditional bluegrass defined on their own terms. The musicians, Tim Litscher (guitar), Caleb Horne (mandolin), Matt Jagow (banjo), Dan Turner (bass), Steve Bateman (harmonica), and Mike Turner (fiddle) have agreed that no one will dominate the arrangements, and instrumental solos compliment the songwriting rather than upstaging it. Just what one wants to hear on an original offering.

    EverGreen Grass Band CD release show • June 17 • Sounds Like Summer Concert in Phoenix Park at 7pm, and The Mousetrap at 10pm • FREE