Album Review: Cadillac Sky – Letters In The Deep
On its third album Letters from the Deep, Cadillac Sky–a bluegrass quintet from Texas–solidifies its place as one of America’s most eclectic, entertaining bands.
Purists may scoff as the band pushes the boundaries of bluegrass, but Cadillac Sky’s seamless blend of musical styles–blues, folk and modern jazz, among them–results in their most reliable effort yet. Letters is produced by Dan Auerbach, lead singer of blues-rock duo The Black Keys, and his laidback arrangements allow the group’s superb harmonies to shine. The best tracks are the piano-led romp “Trash Bag,” and a haunting acoustic number, “Hypocrite,” that’s laced with Brian Simpson’s piercing mandolin.
Simpson’s deep, world-weary vocals give these songs a sense of longing and urgency. Even on the seemingly upbeat self-help anthem “Ballad of Restored Confidence,” he sounds resigned. “I don’t know if I’ve said anything in this life that’s worth remembering,” he sings on “Tired Old Phrases,” as he marches to his inevitable end.
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June 1, 2010 at 12:47 pm
I just recently heard of this group and like them quite a bit. I’ll have to check this one out, especially since Dan Auerbach produced it. That’s highly intriguing.
June 1, 2010 at 12:51 pm
caught these folks in Dallas 4 years ago and they blew me away. I believe they had just signed with Skaggs’ label then…
June 1, 2010 at 1:05 pm
“From Texas” originally, but by the end of the year or so mostly (if not all) from Nashville. Worth noting: this is the first album with newish member David Mayfield on guitar & vocals.
June 1, 2010 at 5:20 pm
I wish your reviews were longer so you could write more about this great band!
We’ve seen them a number of times, and they are great musicians, and great people, too… this is one of the few records I’ll be getting this year. We love them on so many levels.
If you like music that will push boundaries while honoring those that have come before, please check them out.
June 1, 2010 at 6:06 pm
I keep confusing this band with the relatively lackluster BrokeDown Cadillac! Crikey! I’ll have to give these folks a listen now that I realize they aren’t so broken down in comparison!
June 2, 2010 at 10:46 am
I tried to listen to this but had to take it off. The Avett Brothers did the scruffy “bluegrass” thing first and better.
June 2, 2010 at 11:15 am
I’m with Jim C.
June 2, 2010 at 11:37 am
Leeann, what similarities are you hearing between the music of the Avett Brothers and that of C-Sky? I haven’t listened to the former in a while, but I’m not getting what it is that makes the two acts musically comparable; they seem quite different to me.
June 2, 2010 at 11:53 am
For me, I agree that the Avetts did the “scruffy” thing pretty well on their pre-major label albums, but I dont think that’s what C-sky has done, or is currently doing, at all…
June 2, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Cadillac Sky are more skilled players than the Avett, who never struck me as a bluegrass band at all. An acoustic group, sure, but not bluegrass.
Cadillac Sky has openly said it’s moving away from bluegrass as well with the new album. Not sure what “scruffy bluegrass” means, although New Grass Revival certainly looked scruffy in its heyday. But I’d say scruffy acoustic acts have been around aince the beginning of recordings, and that jug bands sort of made an art of it.
June 2, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Sorry, I was in a hurry. I’m with Jim as far as trying to listen to it, but not liking it. Too moody, atmospheric for me.
June 2, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Thanks, Leeann. I figured Smilin’ Jim’s bizarre comparison was pretty much his and his alone.
June 2, 2010 at 1:46 pm
I used to compare the Avetts to Old Crow Medicine Show some in terms of what they were trying to do, but I have to admit I don’t think Cadillac Sky is in that same bag at all.
June 2, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Exactly, NM; that’s not an unreasonable comparison, and it’s easy to explain its content. Jim’s nonsensical phrase doesn’t come anywhere close to doing that.
June 2, 2010 at 2:33 pm
…and I guess I’d better add this: I know the C-Sky guys; I’d call a couple of them my friends. And while my taste in bluegrass and related music tends to be conservative enough that I’m not a frequent and avid listener, I have a lot of respect for the group’s talent and creativity, and I’m glad that they’re doing what it is that they do. Bluegrass needs artists pushing the boundaries just as much as it needs artists going right down the middle of the pike (and vice versa!), even if the boundaries sometimes get pushed in directions that I personally don’t want to go. I know how deep C-Sky’s musical roots go, and in what directions; I know how serious and devoted they are to doing their best, and to making music of which they’re unreservedly proud. I have seen them get up and do their thing – not anyone else’s – in front of some very traditional bluegrass crowds, and watched them win over all but the most recalcitrant grassholes. Anyone who’s been out in the trenches knows what an accomplishment that is. Like their music or not, it deserves better than an ignorant, thoughtless, throwaway line.
June 2, 2010 at 3:38 pm
oh so NOW it’s personal!
June 2, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Looking forward to hearing this as most of their other work I’ve really enjoyed. One of the best “newgrass” bands out there and just really fun, talented musicians.
June 2, 2010 at 4:20 pm
“Newgrass” – a perfectly apt word to use in this context.
June 2, 2010 at 4:23 pm
C-sky filmed a video at one the best places for bluegrass music Cumberland Caverns. The Bluegrass underground has a show there from time to time. Bluegrass music 333 ft underground.
June 3, 2010 at 3:23 am
I have all the Avett’s stuff, and all of Cadillac Sky’s. C Sky ; hands down the more skilled musicians, but it ain’t your daddy’s Bluegrass. Avett’s ; They do what they do very well. Lyrically they say a lot with few words. Two different music worlds. I don’t see how they could be compared. But they both played Merlefest this year. Cadillac Sky, in my opinion, put on the best show. They are a very energetic, crowd pleasing, just plain SMOKIN’ live band. Toughest act to follow at the fest.
June 14, 2010 at 11:47 pm
You like the other Cadillac Sky CDS, you won’t recognize this, scruffy bluegrass, or waste of good studio time, or lets’ try this one unmastered. It is hard for me to listen to, I listened to the classic “AKUS , Live @ Louisville”
Now that’s Bluegrass, and they are back playing again this year,
June 18, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Never really bought into the Avetts whole “whiny” thing. Musically, there is absolutely no comparison between these two bands. I have seen both bands more than a handful of times over the last few years and Cadillac Sky just dominates the live scene….the Avetts aren’t even in the same city, let alone the same ballpark. If both of these bands were playing in the same town on the same night, I would rather pay to see Cadillac Sky than see the Avetts for free….
June 26, 2010 at 6:21 pm
David Mayfield sings “Tired Old Phrases” and “Ballad of Restored Confidence”. Please get the facts before you write a review for Christ’s sake.
September 11, 2010 at 4:31 pm
I think this record is just plain awful. I know the CSKY guys too and I have heard their other two records and seen them live several times. Avoid this one, it’s just them trying to be hip and cool, which they are not. Dan Aurbach makes great records with his own band, but this is not one of them. It’s trite, unoriginal, and not very interesting at all. I just saw them play this material live last night and it comes off as self absorbed and lame. David Mayfield?, what a joke. They went from being one of the best live bands I have seen in a long time, to one of the worst in less than two years. Go figure.
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