Mustered Courage - Cruel Alibis (Single) (05/04/2013)
I first saw Mustered Courage perform in a small bar along Northcote's High Street back near the end of last year, and frankly I was floored by their musical skill, harmonies, and the fact that they got me to enjoy bluegrass folk music; who would've thought, right?
Their latest release, Cruel Alibis, starts off sounding like it's going to be some sort of sombre guitar ballad. Lyrics about making your own choices, not recognising your own reflection, and generally guilty feelings. It's not really elaborated on throughout the rest of the track, so if it weren't for the flurry of banjo, guitar, bass, mandolin, with each interment taking their own turn to fiddle about in a classic bluegrass fashion, you'd be forgiven for finding the lyrical content leaving a bit to be desired.
Mustered Courage are certainly a group worth keeping an eye on if you're interested in their sound, but I'd not be surprised if they find it difficult to attract anyone outside of that sphere with the music they're currently writing. Its certainly bluegrass, just a tad uninspired here.
Nick Kennedy
Their latest release, Cruel Alibis, starts off sounding like it's going to be some sort of sombre guitar ballad. Lyrics about making your own choices, not recognising your own reflection, and generally guilty feelings. It's not really elaborated on throughout the rest of the track, so if it weren't for the flurry of banjo, guitar, bass, mandolin, with each interment taking their own turn to fiddle about in a classic bluegrass fashion, you'd be forgiven for finding the lyrical content leaving a bit to be desired.
Mustered Courage are certainly a group worth keeping an eye on if you're interested in their sound, but I'd not be surprised if they find it difficult to attract anyone outside of that sphere with the music they're currently writing. Its certainly bluegrass, just a tad uninspired here.
Nick Kennedy