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Reviews > CDs

Published: 2011/11/07

by Jewly Hight

Noam Pikelny: Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail

Compass

If you’ve heard Noam Pikelny’s recent work with postmodern acoustic adventurers the Punch Brothers, his second solo album— Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail —is bound to feel like a straightforward affair. That’s not to say that it’s lacking in complex ideas. Joined by his Punch brethren and other giants of the acoustic world—including Tim O’Brien, Jerry Douglas and Stuart Duncan —the 5-string banjo virtuoso tweaks traditional idioms— like fiddle tunes, rollicking reels and old-timey numbers—with a bright melodic approach. Then, there are originals like “All Git Out” and “Bear Dog Grit” (co-written with Chris Thile and Gabe Witcher ) that show Pikelny coloring well outside the lines while keeping the bluegrass drive intact. It all adds up to an inspired, good-humored set.

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