FINNDERS & YOUNGBERG (FY5) - EAT THE MOON

2015 - Swingfingers Records
This is the Colorado based five piece bands third studio recording and whilst i've yet to hear the previous two, on the strength of this excellent album, I will rectify that situation very soon. They are blessed with the presence of five talented musicians who through various means gradually drifted from other roots bands and experiences to eventually form the FY5 so bringing myriad influences with them explaining how they have such command of everything in and around country music.
What you get on this album is tremendous vocals, excellent playing of songs that come from the various offshoots of country music, including bluegrass, honky tonk, country balladry, a little swing and edgy folksiness, even a little country rock, sometimes all blended together in one song! They are not merely trying to cram as many styles onto the disc as possible but there is a naturalness about all we survey on this excellent ten song recording that even includes a very good instrumental.
The band consists of Mike Finnders on guitar, as well as lead and harmony vocals, Erin Youngberg plays bass, lead and harmony vocals, Aaron Youngberg, banjo, pedal steel, and harmony vocals, Ryan Drickey plays fiddle and harmony vocals, Rich Zimmerman on mandolin and harmony vocals, so not surprising then that their harmonies are so good, with all five contributing to them. Not only are their two 'lead' vocalists excellent but they are also a pair who bring a powerful sense of character to the songs on this album that is loaded with a diversity of styles. Despite their varied explorations of 'offshoots,' overall the recording sits comfortably under the 'country' umbrella albeit one that draws its influences from the previously named styles. Both vocalists are able to explore a range of emotions with their evocative story telling which when added to the quality of the lyrics, melodies and playing leaves you with an album that more than repays repeated listening sessions
Of the ten tracks on this disc seven were written by Mike Finnders, two by Erin Youngberg and the high quality instrumental by Rich Zimmerman. The listener is taken through a wide range of emotions on these beautifully written, arranged and performed songs on which Mike Finnders takes five lead vocals and Erin four, with that one instrumental all combining to bring a perfect balance to the disc.
The album kicks off with the Finnders penned She Wants To Eat The Moon, with a lovely lead vocal from Erin on a beautiful country ballad that includes gorgeous steel guitar, excellent solid bass, with fiddle, mandolin and nice harmonies. It is a lovely reflective tale that meanders its memorable way along, even having a slight edginess to give the song extra appeal, although it could easily cross over into the mainstream and be a success as could much of their work. Next is Desert Bluebell, this time with Mike Flinnders on excellent lead vocal on a song that has nice fiddle and speedy banjo, one that veer towards a blending of bluegrass and old timey with varied centre points that often change the dynamic throughout the song, giving it an epic quality. Old Dog Waltz is a beautiful, fully rounded instrumental that includes, fiddle, mandolin and banjo underpinned by the most solid of bass playing. Erin again takes lead vocal on After Tonight a very good mid tempo country song with the usual instrumentation and excellent vocals on a song that has a western swing feel albeit one that includes banjo and mandolin. It is probably the fiddle and the tempo that gives yet another memorable song that swing feeling. Finally on Saint Vrain there is an excellent haunting start with eerie fiddle and repetitive banjo soon joined by Mike Finnders vocal on a song that covers bluegrass, old timey and folk, initially bringing an atmosphere of foreboding to a tremendous song that gradually lifts to a speedier tempo. The song includes a tremendous banjo solo that gradually draws in the fiddle on this tale that ebbs and flows beautifully, always with the listener wondering which direction the song will take next.
So, overall the styles used on this excellent album are all in common use but this band, thanks to their inventiveness and talent, take those styles in barely discernible different directions that add a powerful individuality to their music. Add the vocal and instrument playing talents to the ability to compose excellent lyrics and memorable melodies and there is little more any music fan could wish for. The bonus for mainstream music fans is that it could easily cross over. In one succinct phrase, 'something for everyone!'
http://finndersandyoungberg.com/
This is the Colorado based five piece bands third studio recording and whilst i've yet to hear the previous two, on the strength of this excellent album, I will rectify that situation very soon. They are blessed with the presence of five talented musicians who through various means gradually drifted from other roots bands and experiences to eventually form the FY5 so bringing myriad influences with them explaining how they have such command of everything in and around country music.
What you get on this album is tremendous vocals, excellent playing of songs that come from the various offshoots of country music, including bluegrass, honky tonk, country balladry, a little swing and edgy folksiness, even a little country rock, sometimes all blended together in one song! They are not merely trying to cram as many styles onto the disc as possible but there is a naturalness about all we survey on this excellent ten song recording that even includes a very good instrumental.
The band consists of Mike Finnders on guitar, as well as lead and harmony vocals, Erin Youngberg plays bass, lead and harmony vocals, Aaron Youngberg, banjo, pedal steel, and harmony vocals, Ryan Drickey plays fiddle and harmony vocals, Rich Zimmerman on mandolin and harmony vocals, so not surprising then that their harmonies are so good, with all five contributing to them. Not only are their two 'lead' vocalists excellent but they are also a pair who bring a powerful sense of character to the songs on this album that is loaded with a diversity of styles. Despite their varied explorations of 'offshoots,' overall the recording sits comfortably under the 'country' umbrella albeit one that draws its influences from the previously named styles. Both vocalists are able to explore a range of emotions with their evocative story telling which when added to the quality of the lyrics, melodies and playing leaves you with an album that more than repays repeated listening sessions
Of the ten tracks on this disc seven were written by Mike Finnders, two by Erin Youngberg and the high quality instrumental by Rich Zimmerman. The listener is taken through a wide range of emotions on these beautifully written, arranged and performed songs on which Mike Finnders takes five lead vocals and Erin four, with that one instrumental all combining to bring a perfect balance to the disc.
The album kicks off with the Finnders penned She Wants To Eat The Moon, with a lovely lead vocal from Erin on a beautiful country ballad that includes gorgeous steel guitar, excellent solid bass, with fiddle, mandolin and nice harmonies. It is a lovely reflective tale that meanders its memorable way along, even having a slight edginess to give the song extra appeal, although it could easily cross over into the mainstream and be a success as could much of their work. Next is Desert Bluebell, this time with Mike Flinnders on excellent lead vocal on a song that has nice fiddle and speedy banjo, one that veer towards a blending of bluegrass and old timey with varied centre points that often change the dynamic throughout the song, giving it an epic quality. Old Dog Waltz is a beautiful, fully rounded instrumental that includes, fiddle, mandolin and banjo underpinned by the most solid of bass playing. Erin again takes lead vocal on After Tonight a very good mid tempo country song with the usual instrumentation and excellent vocals on a song that has a western swing feel albeit one that includes banjo and mandolin. It is probably the fiddle and the tempo that gives yet another memorable song that swing feeling. Finally on Saint Vrain there is an excellent haunting start with eerie fiddle and repetitive banjo soon joined by Mike Finnders vocal on a song that covers bluegrass, old timey and folk, initially bringing an atmosphere of foreboding to a tremendous song that gradually lifts to a speedier tempo. The song includes a tremendous banjo solo that gradually draws in the fiddle on this tale that ebbs and flows beautifully, always with the listener wondering which direction the song will take next.
So, overall the styles used on this excellent album are all in common use but this band, thanks to their inventiveness and talent, take those styles in barely discernible different directions that add a powerful individuality to their music. Add the vocal and instrument playing talents to the ability to compose excellent lyrics and memorable melodies and there is little more any music fan could wish for. The bonus for mainstream music fans is that it could easily cross over. In one succinct phrase, 'something for everyone!'
http://finndersandyoungberg.com/