Thankfully, Ben soon abandons the rock anthem sound and returns to a more folksy/bluesy sound more appropriate to a singer-songwriter. Bluegrass, contrary to its title, has is a sort of wispy, melancholy ballad. While using the instruments from that genre - banjo, mandolin, etc. - the song really doesn't have the bluegrass sound. The subject is the end of a relationship:

Tell her I don't want her back
Tell her that my soul was slowing dying
Tell her when the cold wind blows
I just close my eyes and go on writing

Songs like Rainbow, Sky Was Falling (about September 11), and John (about John Lennon) continue this reflective almost somber tone; not surprising given their subjects. These songs once again focus the attention back on Ben and his voice and his emotions; his passion and his personality come through.

To leave you on an upbeat note, Arnold returns to the more playful sound that began the album with Gotta Get Get 'n' Go. A ukulele gives it a particularly playful and child-like tone to go with the admitted immaturity that the song describes:

We're not really trying
And it's not gonna be
I'm not good at lying
So truthfully
This ain't gonna grow
And You gotta know
I'm a gotta get 'n' go
I gotta let you know
I gotta get 'n' go

Overall, Calico is a enjoyable listening experience. It is, for the most part, far removed from the generic pop rock that is regularly played on the radio. At his best Ben Arnold is an talented songwriter experimenting with a variety of musical sounds and genres to highlight his unique voice and intelligent lyrics. For me the mostly insipid rock tunes on the album detract from the overall quality. I can understand Ben's need to jam and experiment with a variety of sounds, but I just don't think he pulls off the sound. I say stick with the singer-songwriter emphasis.