Be Still Moses
Steep Canyon Rangers · 2020
49 min · 11 tracks · bluegrass music
A reflective blend of bluegrass harmonies and poignant storytelling that captures the essence of life’s complexities.
Top tracks — play these first
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Be Still Moses — This title track poignantly explores themes of reassurance and hope amidst uncertainty, encapsulating the album’s overall message perfectly.
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Farmers and Pharaohs — With its narrative on perseverance through hardships, this track weaves historical context into modern struggles, highlighting the band's storytelling prowess.
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Let Me Out of This Town — This lively tune captures a yearning for escape and freedom, balancing upbeat melodies with introspective lyrics that resonate with listeners seeking change.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and craftsmanship while exploring relatable themes through bluegrass traditions.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of three-part harmonies across multiple tracks, enhancing the storytelling aspect.
- Several songs incorporate traditional bluegrass instrumentation, including banjo and mandolin, which are prominent in the arrangements.
- The tempo varies significantly, with tracks like 'Be Still Moses' adopting a slower pace that contrasts with the more upbeat 'Radio'.
- Lyrically, the album explores themes of introspection and life's challenges, often using vivid imagery to convey emotions.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- vibrant storytelling with warmth
- reflective moments for quiet evenings
- engaging sing-alongs with friends
- uplifting energy for road trips
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek aggressive, fast-paced music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Be Still Moses is the Steep Canyon Rangers' sixth studio album, emerging after their Grammy-winning collaboration with Steve Martin on 2019's 'The Long-Awaited Album.' At this point, the band was solidifying their identity beyond a comedy act, aiming for broader recognition in the bluegrass scene while continuing to explore deeper lyrical themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Punch Brothers· Trampled by Turtles· Nickel Creek
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Easy to Love 5:42
- 2 Radio 3:50
- 3 Be Still Moses 3:06
- 4 Call the Captain 5:44
- 5 Let Me Out of This Town 3:44
- 6 Blow Me Away 4:35
- 7 Between Midnight and the Dawn 4:37
- 8 Las Vegas 4:21
- 9 Farmers and Pharaohs 4:07
- 10 The Mountain’s Gonna Sing 3:50
- 11 Auden’s Train 5:23
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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