Album Review: The Chapmans "Grown Up - A Revisionist History"
Bluegrass fans can celebrate the tight vocal harmonies of The Chapmans on the band's new album "Grown Up - A Revisionist History." Brothers John, Jeremy and Jason have teamed up with their dad, Bill, to create a gospel-tinged bluegrass treasure that deserves to be revisited over and over again.
The album begins with the acapella "Why Did You Lie" with a sound rivaling any quartet in southern gospel music. It's followed by the bluegrass ballad "She's The One" with lyrics as sweet as grandma's peach pie. "Jenny Dear" and "Bubble Gum Baby" share many of the same positive qualities.
The album picks up the pace with the toe-tapping "Love's Gonna Live Here" with special guest Rhonda Vincent. "She's Never Coming Back" is another hand clapper that works on all levels. However, nothing on the album compares to the wonderfully fast-paced instrumentals of "El Cumbanchero." It will get the blood flowing.
The Chapmans hail from Colorado but now call Springfield, Missouri home. While the band members are relatively youthful compared to their contemporaries, they have been a fixture at bluegrass festivals for over 20 years.
The biggest surprise is the album's final track "I Wanna Be Loved Like That." This cut deserves to be a hit country chart single and proves that The Chapmans could have a major mainstream country radio career. The lyrics are sung with passionate intensity and the instrumentation pierces the soul. The fine lyrics of "Small Exception Of Me" also deserve special attention as well as the rockin' band performance on "Rolling Away On A Big Stern Wheeler."
Other songs on the album include "Please Momma Please," "River Of Sorrow" and the beautiful acapella cut "Bring It On Home To Me."
It takes bands a long time to find the perfect blend, and The Chapmans have more than done it with "Grown Up - A Revisionist History." While the album clocks in at only 44 minutes, the band will have you jumping with joy one minute and longing for a lost love the next. However, the album is well-produced, and listeners are taken on a cohesive musical journey.
Indeed, The Chapmans are definitely "grown up," and they have succeeded beyond all expectations with "Grown Up - A Revisionist History." This magnificent recording belongs in the collection of any true fan of bluegrass or country music. CountryChart.com
The album picks up the pace with the toe-tapping "Love's Gonna Live Here" with special guest Rhonda Vincent. "She's Never Coming Back" is another hand clapper that works on all levels. However, nothing on the album compares to the wonderfully fast-paced instrumentals of "El Cumbanchero." It will get the blood flowing.
The Chapmans hail from Colorado but now call Springfield, Missouri home. While the band members are relatively youthful compared to their contemporaries, they have been a fixture at bluegrass festivals for over 20 years.
The biggest surprise is the album's final track "I Wanna Be Loved Like That." This cut deserves to be a hit country chart single and proves that The Chapmans could have a major mainstream country radio career. The lyrics are sung with passionate intensity and the instrumentation pierces the soul. The fine lyrics of "Small Exception Of Me" also deserve special attention as well as the rockin' band performance on "Rolling Away On A Big Stern Wheeler."
Other songs on the album include "Please Momma Please," "River Of Sorrow" and the beautiful acapella cut "Bring It On Home To Me."
It takes bands a long time to find the perfect blend, and The Chapmans have more than done it with "Grown Up - A Revisionist History." While the album clocks in at only 44 minutes, the band will have you jumping with joy one minute and longing for a lost love the next. However, the album is well-produced, and listeners are taken on a cohesive musical journey.
Indeed, The Chapmans are definitely "grown up," and they have succeeded beyond all expectations with "Grown Up - A Revisionist History." This magnificent recording belongs in the collection of any true fan of bluegrass or country music. CountryChart.com