The banjo can be such a happy
instrument, but in the hands of Joshua Hall, the plucky instrument turns dark
and brooding. This haunting gypsy sound pervades 13, the debut CD by local band
Blackgrass.
Hall is accompanied by Christian
Lange on violin, Roman Karpynec on drums and percussion and Scott Trowbridge on
lead vocals, guitar, bass and cello. Trowbridge’s voice is reminiscent of Bryan
Ferry – a rich, lowend monotone that blends with, and drives, the foreboding
tone of the songs. The result of their deep voices and moody instrumentation is
comparable to the band Sixteen Horsepower, although in Blackgrass’ case,
hellfire and damnation don’t dominate the lyrics.
But faith and spirituality are
addressed in these songs, as the reverent tones suggest. Beginning with the
disc’s first song, the traditional “Wayfaring Stranger,” the lyrics touch upon
the themes of loss and salvation. And a few Knoxville landmarks even get a
mention on “Big House Blues” - - “Scarecrows looking at the city streets, not
so much birds are tryin’ to eat our seeds, but you never know who or what’s
coming your way a mile from Magnolia just off Broadway.”
Like the sound of the songs themselves, the disc’s artistic
design treads the line between medieval religious (with woodblock prints of
monk-types and alchemists) and goth (weeping baby heads with butterfly wings).
It’s kind of freaky, but so is the music, so it all fits together.
The concept of Blackgrass (beginning
with the band’s name and carrying through the music, CD packaging and promo
materials) is so fully, and impressively, realized. This is the kind of product
major labels are always creating, but it’s inspiring when a band makes it
happen on their own, when you can just tell that this was their vision not some
pre-packaged notion. Nothing about Blackgrass seems accidental, but it all
seems genuine.
The band will officially release
13 at a performance 9p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Preservation Pub.