​Steep Canyon Rangers (from the album Next Act

​Steep Canyon Rangers (from the album Next Act

​Steep Canyon Rangers (from the album Next Act on Yep Roc Records) (by Danny McCloskey)


Love takes many paths. While keeping the flames burning bright, there are moments when reality dictates expectant lovers may need to gently untwine fingers grasped around hopes and dreams. Steep Canyon Rangers address the ways of love that are not discussed, showcasing the ability to realize that “The Kindest Thing” is leaving, cutting one heart into two pieces that drift apart. The unwelcome visitation of old age is discussed “Back of Beyond” as the blinders of youth are championed as they play across the story in “Sugar Lake”. These are the words and music delivered by Steep Canyon Rangers on Next Act, the recently released album from the North Carolina progressive Bluegrass collective. The band gained national notoriety after establishing themselves regionally and in the wider Bluegrass world when Steve Martin stepped in to front the band for albums and tours. 
 
With or without kudos collected in the affiliation with fame, Steep Canyon Rangers build a community with the stories in their songs. Reality writes the tale that watches a pair of survivors facing “Hard Times” as Next Act hosts a rumble of strings that watch a life in a downward spiral with “Circling the Drain”. A highway groove keeps the wheels clicking with persistent motion behind the driver’s wheel for “Rumble Strip” and the morning air steps into fantasy courtesy of the “Babylon Strings”. Beyond the sweet sound of Bluegrass, the songs of Steep Canyon Rangers are stories, tales that depict lives lived on the radar but outside of the glare of spotlight. They are joined by sometimes frontman Steve Martin on “Heart’s the Only Compass” as click-clack of white lines wraps around the love scene emerging on a Greyhound bus. Occasional bandmate, and Steve Martin collaborator, Edie Brickell, joins Steep Canyon Rangers in the gambling road adventure that travels “Halfway to Reno”. Next Act continues betting big with “Roll of the Dice” and cruises on top of an effervescent beat to face the realism in the rearview mirror with “Some Days”. Steep Canyon Rangers slowly trudge through relationship questions with “Stubborn Love” before exiting the album introducing the “Hard Luck Kid”. (by Danny McCloskey) 
 
Listen and buy the music of Steep Canyon Rangers from AMAZON
 
For more information, please visit the Steep Canyon Rangers website