Cadillac Sky

"U Stay Gone," the album's energetic kick-off, has the soulful mountain sound (complete with organ) fans have come to expect from Cadillac Sky, with a haunting "call and answer" chorus featuring expert harmony vocals that remain a staple throughout the project.  Their definitive bluegrass sound is echoed in songs like "Wouldn't Put It Past Love" (a song about what love will make one do) and "It Won't Be Over You" (which the band calls "the ultimate denial song"), each one demonstrating Cadillac Sky's unique ability to bridge the gap between traditional and progressive bluegrass musical styles. Humorous, yet not afraid to tackle deeper issues, Cadillac Sky delves into the topic of domestic abuse with "Bible By The Bed," their instruments signifying the subject's intense emotion with a lyrical twist at the end.  "The Wreck," "Carousel," and "2 Good 2 Last" are somewhat pensive tunes with similar themes about humanity's short journey through life.  "Baby Don't Cry" (a husband's apology to his wife after a moment of insensitivity) and "Everybody's Favorite" (about a girl destined for stardom with dreams of anonymity) further prove Cadillac Sky's dynamic storytelling strength while instrumentals "Thank You Esteban" and "The Majestic Swan" exhibit their virtuosic musicianship. More than anything, "Gravity's Our Enemy" is a complete record.  In a world where most albums only have a few tracks that demand repeated listening, this is a record that will reward the listeners' ear from start to finish.  It's a true headphone album, with tiny hidden touches that reveal themselves the more often, and the more carefully, it's heard.  

 

 Cadillac Sky first came together in Texas in 2002 when burgeoning country songwriter Bryan Simpson (mandolin, vocals) teamed up with banjo prodigy Matt Menefee.  They soon began collaborating with Mike Jump, Ross Holmes (fiddle, vocals), and Houston native Andy "Panda" Moritz (bass, vocals).  Combining hearts and hooks, the traditional and the revolutionary, and pulling sounds from all genres, Cadillac Sky's sound is the fruition of bandleader Bryan Simpson's groundbreaking vision to create a bluegrass band built for the 21st Century.