Indie-Music.com

Quote: "Combining pop sensibilities . . . with a more traditional blend of funky bluegrass".


By Heidi Drockelman

You know, I have to say, I have boarded the "Disco Bus", or at least a reasonable facsimile, so once I heard this particular ditty from the Bay area's Ten Mile Tide, I was hooked. Although perhaps a time I should work to suppress in my memory, Ten Mile Tide has managed to push all my memories to the forefront of my mind, leaving me with, well, a miraculous sense of personal achievement having survived that particular era in my life.

Beyond the "party place on wheels", Ten Mile Tide offers a great deal of depth in songwriting skills, combining pop sensibilities a la early Dave Matthews Band material with a more traditional blend of funky bluegrass. Eerily, there is also the detection of an easy flowing feeling (hence the album title, very crafty, boys) that lends itself toward the jam band, or folk singer variety, most notably a connection to the master of folk, Cat Stevens. The vocals are clean, confident, and unique enough that this provides a great outlet for the band to explore different areas of musicality and also proves a good contrast with the interjection of an often scene-stealing fiddle.

Truthfully, I'm feeling the rock at this phase of my existence, but FLOW has turned me toward a more feel-good, down-home rootsy approach. One that is welcome in my sometimes indie punk rock populated CD player. This band reminds me of so many other classic jam band staples of the music industry, but their ability to take those influences and meld them with a more modern sound finds them blazing a trail for neo-folkies in the new millennium.

I think this album will most appeal to fans of folk, jam bands, and modern bluegrass, but with time, Ten Mile Tide should be able to cast a wider net. This is a great start to exploring more territory and this band's obvious love for their music and fans could propel them to greater recognition.

Standout tracks: "San Francisco", "Disco Bus", "Roll The Top Down"


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