Alpenglow

Trampled By Turtles Alpenglow CD

Its a beautiful phenomenon, says Trampled by Turtles Dave Simonett, before adding with characteristic sincerity: Everybody should see it." Simonett is talking about alpenglow, the natural event that washes mountains on the horizon in smoldering red and pink light, just before the sun sets or rises. Its a harbinger of changethe space between new and old. Its also the name of Trampled by Turtles new album, the bands tenth. My favorite part about making music is making records, says Simonett. Im really excited about this one. Produced by Wilcos Jeff Tweedy, Alpenglow offers resounding proof that the beloved six-piece from Minnesota remain uncontested champs of understated virtuosity, literary songwriting, and a joyful hodgepodge of folk heart, rock-and-roll muscle, and string-band zen. Almost 20 years after first getting together, Trampled thats lead singer and songwriter Dave Simonett, bassist Tim Saxhaug, banjo player Dave Carroll, mandolinist Erik Berry, fiddle player Ryan Young, and cellist Eamonn McLain also keep finding new ways to surprise us and one another. While many of the songs on Alpenglow grapple with change, none try to offer answers. Nothings neat and tidy. Instead, Trampled find endearing ways to sit in the tension, hope, and sense of loss that transitions and hard questions create. Then, just by expressing whats there, the music offers comfort.