MUSTERED COURAGE – MUSTERED COURAGE

Bluegrass music out of Australia’s second biggest metropolis may sound like a an odd idea but Mustered Courage do it very well. This debut album from the Melbournian quintet doesn’t have a flat spot or dull moment. Track 2 Karma is really uptempo, one could imagine it being the closing number of the set and upon its conclusion the band would proceed to smash up all their instruments. It would be the first time ever that there would be banjo fragments and mandolin bits strewn across a stage. Another highlight is the only cover on the album the Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds penned Boys II Men 90s pop hit I’ll Make Love to You. Funnily enough played at triple speed in Bluegrass style it actually sounds more genuine. No-one is ever as smooth and cool as those Boyz II Men guys were in real life, are they? The vocals on this release are very strong and versatile. There are a number of wonderful harmonies, a disappointingly evaporating component in modern music. This album is thoroughly enjoyable and fun, yet skillful.

***1/2