Blue Moon Rising is probably one of the best of the least recognized bluegrass groups out there, but with their 2010 album, Strange New World, they are finally getting their due and are putting a lasting mark on the genre.

Strange New World is the band’s fifth album since starting out in 2001, and their first on the Rural Rhythm Records label.  It is indeed a strange new world for the band because, incredibly, this version of the band is almost completely different from that which was on their last recording, as founding member Chris West lost all three of his band mates to other groups in 2009.  Lineup changes are common in bluegrass and the personnel switches sometimes produce uneven results. But talented guitarist and songwriter West is clearly the band's sonic pacemaker.  The band's sound remains impressive, balancing the forces that divide bluegrass and country music, and traditional and progressive 'grassers, and they do so with incredible ease.  Even the cover is probably the most creative ever to be found in the genre thus far.  Eschewing the standard, bland photo of the band that graces nearly every other bluegrass album cover, Strange New World is graced with artwork depicting the themes of the songs, and looks more akin to a Jimi Hendrix spread than to a band that employs no feedback or distortion whatsoever.

One of the persistently amazing things about bluegrass music is that no matter the band, whether you like the genre or not, there will be a song that will make you subconsciously tap your foot.  There are several like that on this album but “Time To Be Moving On,” the opening fast driving song about a relationship that has run its course, fits this billing in excellent fashion.  From this high, you are thrust to the depths of despair in “Never Happy Until I’m Full of Sorrow” (doesn’t everyone know someone like this?), which fits comfortably side by side with the third track, “Hard Luck Joe.”  These more traditional offerings along with “Second Best” and “Barely Hangin’ On” play on typical themes of bluegrass music of hard times, and lost love.  But several tracks on this album show Blue Moon Rising taking it to the next level.  “My Sittin’ Window” is one of the most exquisitely written songs offered in bluegrass in recent years, and it is enough to make a Hell’s Angel cry.  At first, the song seems to simply be about an elderly person looking out their window on the neighborhood, but the song unfolds into the chilling revelation that it is the ghost of an 18 year old Confederate soldier who never got to experience the love of his life, and has been trapped in a rocking chair for 150 years.

“He’s All Around Us” bends the bluegrass genre about as far as it can go without breaking.  It holds a steady bluesy rhythm like Muddy Waters with a bluegrass accompaniment that includes drums, chewing hard on the words about the devil’s temptations like they’re beef jerky.  With a touch of irony that really embodies man’s back and forth between sin and God, this symphony for the devil is placed back-to-back with a simple, stripped down old-time gospel number, “Living Water.”  Simply West’s guitar, mandolin and bass with quartet harmonies, this song sings of the Lord’s redemptive power and its beautiful lyrics are magnified by the production’s simplicity.

“The Dust Bowl” is another evocative song about pride and poverty that has reminders of Alison Krauss and Union Station’s work a decade ago.  Session musician Randy Kohrs provides some stunning dobro work throughout the album, but on this song, the dobro part is just as important as the lead vocal.  It adds the lilting, mournful sound that the protagonist of the song feels at every turn.  

Song placement on this album is excellent and proves that some thought went into the track order.  The last track “What A Helluva Way To Go” takes us out with West’s finger picked guitar and a cello -- going from factory layoffs to a junkie dying on a subway car, and finally, leaping with him off of a bridge into eternity.  This is not your grandfather’s sappy country suicide song.  West’s baritone reaches out and takes you with him all the way up the edge of the bridge.

Personnel changes have not affected the integrity of the music produced by this band.  Their quality musicianship songwriting and song choices are starting to place this band among the A-list bluegrass bands.  While they do not take on as many shows as other bluegrass groups do to support their albums, Blue Moon Rising has been successful at being noticed for their work.  Now with a larger label, Rural Rhythm, they have the opportunity to break out.  With Strange New World, they deserve it.

Rating: A

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