What makes A String Cheese Incident by The String Cheese Incident notable?

The album helped to solidify The String Cheese Incident's place within the burgeoning jam band movement of the late 1990s, receiving positive reviews that praised its musicianship and eclectic sound. It laid the groundwork for their subsequent success, leading to a devoted fanbase and significant festival appearances that influenced countless artists in the genre. A String Cheese Incident, released in 1997, marked the band's emergence as a key player in the jam band scene after their formation in 1993. This debut album showcased their unique blend of bluegrass, rock, and improvisational music, setting the stage for a career that would see them become staples at festivals across the United States.

How many songs are on A String Cheese Incident?

A String Cheese Incident has 10 tracks, running approximately 72 minutes.

A String Cheese Incident

The String Cheese Incident

72 min · 10 tracks · bluegrass music

A vibrant tapestry of bluegrass-infused improvisation, blending traditional melodies with modern influences and spontaneous energy.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Lonesome Fiddle Blues — This track features intricate fiddle work and showcases the band's ability to blend traditional bluegrass with improvisational flair, serving as a highlight of their live performances.
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Rhythm of the Road — An upbeat anthem that encapsulates the spirit of adventure and travel found in their music, it establishes a connection with their audience through its infectious groove.
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Wake Up — This song combines thoughtful lyrics with rich instrumentation, demonstrating the band’s songwriting prowess while inviting listeners into a reflective space.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong musicianship and blends genres, but lacks a cohesive flow throughout its runtime.

What we noticed

The album features extended instrumental sections where the band improvises, particularly in tracks like 'Rhythm of the Road' and 'Land’s End'.
Several tracks incorporate traditional bluegrass elements, such as fiddle and banjo, while also blending in rock influences.
The tempo varies significantly across tracks, with some maintaining a brisk pace while others slow down for reflective moments.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Lonesome Fiddle Blues 9:59
2 Little Hands 8:18
3 Dudley’s Kitchen 3:03
4 Rhythm of the Road 6:10
5 How Mountain Girls Can Love 2:58
6 Pirates 9:29
7 Wake Up 7:07
8 Land’s End 12:02
9 San José 8:54
10 Walk This Way 4:47

What to play next

Listen next

On the Road

Full The String Cheese Incident discography Artists like The String Cheese Incident

bluegrass music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata