Antifogmatic (Deluxe Version)

I just got to see this band live when they opened for Paul Simon...AMAZING ! They have a new fan !

I looked at a bluegrass site that listed this as one of the top ten albums for 2010 and thought what the heck I'll give it a shot. What a bad mistake. This is by far the worst purchase I've ever made. It's more like some new age jazz crap that just happens to have a banjo. If you like traditional bluegrass then give this one a wide berth!

Absolutely loved it. When I see the crap that passes for music these days, overproduced and unable to sing without an aoutotune, and then i see musicians like this...it makes me appreciate great music from all genres. Keep it up Chris. I look forward to seeing you live again. g

It must be rough being as chiseled and statuesque as Chris Thile. Apparently, the man has so many women throwing themselves at him on a day-to-day basis that he will never be the well-adjusted gentleman he seems to yearn to be in his songs. Punch Brothers established themselves a few years ago as the new purveyors of progressive new-grass, featuring five young lions who kick the crap out of their instruments while simultaneously nailing thick, wicked harmony vocals through endless changes of key and tempo. Their debut album was breathtaking, and was mostly arranged as one suite separated into movements… all to tell the epic tale of Thile’s divorce. The stark (but awesome) poetry was amazing, but the whole thing was a bit self-indulgent, and it flew over the heads of most. Fast forward, and what used to be “the guy from Nickel Creek’s new band” is now recognized on its own merit. Not only that, but it is a band being produced by the legendary Jon Brion. So look out, baby: “Antifogmatic” is the sound of five virtuosi who have been playing together long enough to become musically telepathic, and these songs sound organic and inspired. Even cooler, they sound inspired not only by Thile… there are new elements to the band’s sound all over the place (one tune in particular slapped me in the face with a cool homage to Mike Marshall’s “Gator Strut”), and I’m guessing those have been contributed by the ensemble’s other worthy members. It’s not even fair to stamp their main genre as “bluegrass”, or even “newgrass” anymore… this is a progressive pop album that just so happens to have been recorded with traditional bluegrass instruments, and they give as many nods to electronic music as they do to hyperspeed flatpicking. …but yeah; the songs are still almost entirely about girls, and about Thile’s apparent inability to have a committed and stable relationship. That’s not a bad thing, as it’s not something you wouldn’t expect from a group of five strapping lads with a penchant for boot-stompin’. Thile may be a ladies’ man, but he did warn us about it long ago. So we can’t complain.

I heard these guys on NPR and was enamored from the get-go. I mean, the album name alone kind of had me sold, especially when they explained its origins. Then I downloaded their album and saw that they did a live Fiona Apple cover. Double thumbs up. I'm not a bluegrass lover by any means, but these guys are fun to listen to no matter what you're into.

My teacher is the banjo player's brother!! He was the one who made the name of this album! They are really good!

Just saw these guys last night and immediatly had to come download their songs. Amazing songs, amazing musicians, amazing cd.

I saw the Punch Brothers live literally less than two hours ago, and they really do knock your socks off. I don't think that I have ever heard bluegrass music before tonight, and it's not twangy like some people might believe. This album is really enjoyable, and I especially enjoy the videos of them singing live. With live, you get to hear the wonderful vocal combinations that aren't as evident in the recorded music. Alex is one of my favorite songs from them, though the chorus doesn't create the same chills recorded as it does live, is still mystical and enchanting.

This is the 3rd album from one of the greatest bands... in America? The World? Ever? It would be hard to say too much about a group of virtuosos who craft music that's not only complex, interesting, technically brilliant, and experimental, but that's also cool and with lyrics you can sing along to. They're the Radiohead of Bluegrass, but they're not a bluegrass band (anymore). I'd call them prog-grass, if prog rock weren't so irrelevant for so many people. They can play with the best of them, sing songs that break your heart and open your imagination, and they do some of the best covers you'll ever hear. If you don't have Antifogmatic, and Punch, and How to Grow a Woman from the Ground, you're missing out on some of the best music you'll ever hear.

I won't be long winded, though I could go on and on about it. . . . . I love this album. This is one of those few bands who couldn't possibly make a bad album. I hope they stay together forever. WELCOME HOME ROCKS!!!!!!!