Palomino (VINYL) | Mint (M) Mint (M)

It's hard to come up with a memorable band name that sticks in a listener's head, and on that score alone Trampled by Turtles is worth your time. It's also a moniker that doesn't telegraph the band's sound, nor does it paint the group into a stylistic corner. That said, this Duluth, MN quintet does have a niche, but it's one that the band has carved out all on its own. Call it bluegrass thrash if you like, a rip-snortin', fire-breathin' kind of post-punk folk music that mashes up traditional country picking with a decidedly rock & roll approach. Their energy is so fierce it may take a few tracks before you realize that there's no drummer here, just five guys playing with such driving energy that a drummer is implied by their staccato instrumental prowess. Things kick off with a couple of tunes that almost leave the speakers of your sound system smoking -- "Wait So Long" starts out fast, then goes into overdrive, an angry cry of frustration from a guy who wants to be more than a best friend to his gal. Songwriter, guitarist, and singer Dave Simonett wails his heart out while Ryan Young's supersonic fiddle tosses gasoline on the fire. "It's a War" starts at a high-speed pace and doesn't let up, with Young's fiddle screaming like the siren on a rampaging fire engine. "Help You" is a rock tune played bluegrass style, with Dave Carroll's banjo and Erik Berry's mandolin splitting the solos that would usually be taken by a lead guitar. The band is just as impressive on slow tunes that allow you to appreciate Simonett's songwriting chops. "Again" is a slow, smoky rumination on a self-destructive relationship that burns on even though both lovers know it's a losing proposition, "Separate" is a quirky folk-pop tune with a cryptic lyric and inventive use of rhythm banjo, while "Gasoline" recalls a bluesy Appalachian lament with Carroll's clanging banjo and Simonett's defeated vocal. ~ j. poet

Trampled By Turtles – Palomino

Label: Banjodad Records – BR 07

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album

Country: US

Released: 2010

Genre: Rock, Folk, World, & Country

Style: Folk, Progressive Bluegrass

A1                                Wait So Long

A2                                Victory

A3                                It's A War

A4                                Separate

A5                                Bloodshot Eyes

B1                                New Son/Burnt Iron

B2                                Help You

B3                                Feet And Bones

B4                                Gasoline

B5                                Sounds Like A Movie

B6                                New Orleans

B7                                Again

Copyright © – Trampled By Turtles

Copyright © – Plank Road Music

Recorded At – Realphonic Studios

Recorded At – Sparta Sound

Recorded At – The Devil's Workshop Sound Studio

Mastered At – Magneto Mastering

Manufactured By – Noiseland Industries – 11-0043

Pressed By – MPO

Arranged By – Trampled By Turtles

Banjo, Vocals – Dave Carroll (2)

Bass, Vocals – Tim Saxhaug

Design – Dave Simonett

Engineer – Chad Weis, Dave Simonett, Erik Koskinen, Rich Mattson

Fiddle – Ryan Young (3)

Mandolin – Erik Berry

Mastered By – Dave Gardner (2)

Mixed By – Tom Herbers

Producer – Dave Simonett

Songwriter – Dave Carroll (2) (tracks: B5), Dave Simonett (tracks: A1 to A5, B2 to B4, B6, B7), Erik Berry (tracks: B1)

Vocals, Guitar – Dave Simonett

LP is pressed on heavy-weight 180 gram vinyl and includes an MP3 download card for a free digital download of the album.

Hype Sticker (round): "INCLUDES DOWNLOAD CARD, VINYL PRESSED BY MPO"

Digital Download Card states: "Pressed by NOISELAND, Powered by soundtrax"

Made in France

Barcode: 789577624320

• Media Condition: Mint (M)
• Sleeve Condition: Mint (M)
• Format: Vinyl
• Genre: FOLK
• Format Type: 12"
• Released: 05/25/2010