The Greencards – “Fascination”

If you wanted to give your sound a figurative face-lift, Jay Joyce is one of the producers you might call on for help, and wanting to make a record that was unlike anything they’d done before, The Greencards did just that.

Their fourth album, Fascination is still filled with mandolins, fiddles and soaring vocals but there’s a distinct difference in sound when compared with the more straight-forward bluegrass of their earlier records.

The title cut, Fascination, opens the album with pizzicato notes that build up to create a beat perfect for grooving to during a summer festival.

The Avenue sounds like something you’d hear walking a street market while Chico Calling takes the international vibe one step further, incorporating a funky rhythm line.

Little Siam is an blistering instrumental showcase for the band’s incredible talent on all things stringed that leads right up to the gentle Water in the Well and Into The Blue for a short rest before launching into the fast-tempo of Rivertown.

The album closes with haunting vocals from Carol Young on The Lover I Love The Best.

And nothing against Carol’s voice but the album’s only shortcoming of the album comes from not mixing up the lead vocalists as on past recordings.

The Nashville-based band comprised of Carol (bass), Kym Warner (mandolin, bouzouki) and Eamon McLoughlin (violin, viola, cello) will be touring extensively this spring and summer starting with Merlefest this weekend.

Download Fascination on
The Greencards have a website, Myspace and Facebook. Then even Twitter.
Also, check out the interview we did with Eamon last week.