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Punch Brothers: Who’s Feeling Young Now?

Nonesuch

Thanks to theirprogressive take on bluegrass, critics have dubbed the Punch Brothers the“Radiohead of String Bands.” Though they’re an acoustic outfit, the group regularly melds elements of jazz and chamber pop into their skitter-skatter arrangements. Who’s Feeling Young Now? expands the group’s reach outside of the Americana world and features production by Jacquire King (Kings of Leon,) and songwriting help from Josh Ritter. As an appropriate homage or just because they can now—on their third full length album, they offer their own down-home spin on Radiohead’s bizarrely beatific “Kid A.” From this instant classic, however, and one other choice cover (they nail the Swedish tune “Flippen”), few aural gems abound here. The rockabilly stomper of the title track and the back porch waltz “Patchwork Girlfriend” are exceptions, but otherwise, the Bros’ third release feels unexpectedly safe—a step away from the eclecticism of their Grammy-nominated sophomore effort Antifogmatic.