Kynd Music
The urge to compare Ten Mile Tide to Railroad Earth is almost overwhelming. They both share a breezy musical approach to bluesgrass/rock fusion and a poetical lyricism that bring to mind all things green and growing, bright and beautiful, great and small and wise and wonderful. But, while RRE hews closer to the high lonesome sound of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and The Band, Ten Mile Tide digs deeply into their Bay Area roots to bring flair into their particular fusion. Hints of The Grateful Dead (early 80’s) pop up in the bouncy rhythm and clear, carefully placed guitar notes of “Bad Girls” while “Find Your Own Way Home,” with its introspective lyrics and acoustic riffs, echo Jorma and Hot Tuna. From there, the song “Miss Those Days” could comfortably sit deep inside a New Monsoon setlist with its involved and eclectic percussion. And “Stuck Here in After "Briar Rose," the 10th and last-listed song on the album, are two bonus tracks. My audio player doesn’t assign them titles so I’ll refer to them simply as Track 11 and 12. Actually I'll just skip to Track 12, easily the highlight. It is a hilarious hoedown that brings my mind around to the legendary Grandpa Jones and his tongue-in-cheek interpretations of bluegrass classics and originals. So, while my assistant may refer to this as “bojangles” music, I will happily continue to crank it, sing along and travel along with Ten Mile Tide through their beautiful storytelling and lyricism, unique and creative roots fusion music and well-crafted collection of songs. Because with this self-titled album, their third, Ten Mile Tide has positioned themselves at the front of the new vanguard of roots rock fusion bands alongside RRE, Hot Buttered Rum and New Monsoon. Watch for ‘em coming ‘round the mountains of Please click here to view the original article. |