No, this is not a symphonic reworking of songs by the Houston-based progressive-metal band Galactic Cowboys. The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra — an instrumental fiddle/bass/percussion/guitar quartet from Minneapolis — fuses original and traditional bluegrass with prog, jazz and world music to create a cauldron of what the band calls "newgrass art-rock." Others refer to this distinct sound as Bela Fleck meets Rush. Throw in some Kansas, Chet Atkins, John Coltrane, Jeff Beck and Return to Forever references, and you've got a band with a one-of-a-kind sound.
The title track to All Out of Peaches kicks off the group's second album with enthusiasm, welcoming listeners of all musical persuasions before bowing to "Ruby," a 72-second showcase for Lisi Wright's skillful violin playing — complete with trills, double-stops and razor-sharp intonation. That mournful but powerful piece segues into an almost-unrecognizable version of Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi." "Memo 9" becomes a seven-and-a-half-minute bottom-heavy jam session, and "Cajun in Spurs" dabbles in country.
"The Blaze," a traditional tune originally known as "Fire on the Mountain" and sped up here to sound like a hoedown for intellectuals led by Steve Morse and the Dixie Dregs, ensures the back half of the album is just as captivating as the front — as does "Minion," which features a rollickingly awesome percussion solo from Mark O'Day. All Out of Peaches closes with "At Cross Purposes," a King Crimson-style workout that is the album's darkest cut and proves these guys (and gal) have plenty of prog in their blood.
Want more prog proof? How about artwork that looks like a Porcupine Tree cover? That close-up photo of a man dressed in a suit and tie but with a giant and gross peach pit for a head will keep you away from the orange, fuzzy fruit for days.
Track Listing:
1) All Out of Peaches
2) Ruby
3) Paparazzi
4) Memo 9
5) Cajun in Spurs
6) Straight to the Top
7) Five Up Front
8) Minion
9) The Blaze
10) Ragabilly
11) At Cross Purposes
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