Review: String Cheese Incident - One Step Closer - Page 3

The title track, "One Step Closer", is scripted by the guitarist Billy Nershi. It is a romantic melody, on rediscovering a love not quite left behind, but that somehow slipped by in the slipstream of life. "We went down to the river's edge/And we walked along the sand/Laid down in its shadowy bed/The water rushed past our heads/I thought of something you said"

"Rainbow Serpent" modernizes the mythological benevolent Aboriginal protector being of Australia into a commentary on modern life, madness and delusion. The tempo is different here, with a measured beat pacing out the twists and turns of the song."All the while the rainbow serpent smiles/Watching all her children's final mile"

"Swampy Waters" has a true swamp-rock feel to it, coupled with a jazz beat. Somehow the pacing of the words in the middle section does not work, although the imagery is vivid and stark. One feels this is a deliberate effect. The later guitar build-up is impressive and textured. "Somewhere angels are frowning/I need a good dream, as good as it gets/Don't touch me, I'm still expanding/Just one more bullet for my Russian roulette"


The album wraps up with "Brand New Start" , a harmonica-driven sonnet on love regained, a new hope, signifying perhaps new directions for the band.

The sparse clarity of the album is a refreshing change in an age of over-produced, electronic-rich monstrosities. The live concert tour also promises much fine music on the road. The album is packaged with a 30-minute DVD comprising recording out-takes, sessions, and bonding scenes set in the Colorado hills.

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Article Author: Aaman Lamba

Aaman Lamba is a Blogcritics editor, as well as the Publisher of Desicritics.org, a Blogcritics network site covering media, politics, culture, sports and more with a global South Asian focus

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