What makes Commonwealth by New Grass Revival notable?

Commonwealth is notable for its eclectic blend of genres and received critical acclaim for its innovative approach to bluegrass, helping to broaden the genre's appeal. The album featured standout performances that influenced subsequent artists in the progressive bluegrass movement, solidifying New Grass Revival's position as pioneers in expanding the boundaries of traditional music. Released in 1981, Commonwealth was New Grass Revival's fourth album and marked a significant step in their evolution as a band. At this point, they were transitioning from traditional bluegrass roots toward a more progressive style, reflecting the changing landscape of Americana music during the late '70s and early '80s.

How many songs are on Commonwealth?

Commonwealth has 9 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Commonwealth

New Grass Revival · 1981

40 min · 9 tracks · country music

A vibrant fusion of bluegrass, folk, and country that showcases intricate instrumentation and harmonies in a modern context.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Steam Powered Aereo Plane — This track exemplifies the band's unique sound with its playful lyrics and skilled instrumental interplay, highlighting their ability to merge fun storytelling with complex musicality.
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Pack of Fools — The song features rich harmonies and an infectious melody, illustrating the band’s knack for blending heartfelt lyrics with upbeat rhythms that invite sing-alongs.
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Wicked Path of Sin — With its darker themes and poignant storytelling, this track showcases a more introspective side of the band while maintaining their signature energetic style.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases innovative arrangements and genre fusion, though it lacks the cohesive flow of a classic.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy track that features rapid banjo picking and layered harmonies, setting a lively tone.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
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 Reach 4:48
2 Steam Powered Aereo Plane 4:29
3 One Day I'll Walk 2:52
4 Nothing Wasted, Nothing Gained 2:42
5 Pack of Fools 4:45
6 Nothing Without You 3:51
7 Deeper and Deeper 6:12
8 Wicked Path of Sin 2:35
9 Sapporo 8:10

What to play next

Listen next

New Grass Revival

1986

Go back to

Barren County

1979

Full New Grass Revival discography Artists like New Grass Revival

bluegrass music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata