Cuttin' Grass, Vol. 1: The Butcher Shoppe Sessions
55 min · 20 tracks · country music
A vibrant collection of reimagined country tracks infused with raw energy and a sense of spontaneity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Turtles All the Way Down — This track stands out for its philosophical lyrics transformed into a bluegrass format, emphasizing the interplay between deep themes and lively instrumentation.
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Life Ain't Fair — The song's poignant storytelling paired with upbeat instrumentation showcases Simpson's ability to blend serious themes with an engaging sound.
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Breakers Roar — Its reflective lyrics and dynamic arrangement highlight Simpson's skillful songwriting while capturing the essence of the album’s overall tone.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong reinterpretations but lacks a cohesive flow due to its varied tempos and styles.
What we noticed
- Each song is reinterpreted with a more traditional country arrangement compared to their original versions.
- The tempo varies significantly from track to track, with several songs maintaining a brisk pace while others slow down for reflective moments.
- Vocals are delivered with a raw, unpolished quality that enhances the sense of spontaneity throughout the record.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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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5/10
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
- short bursts of vibrant energy
- sing-along moments with friends
- captivating storytelling in each track
- for road trip playlists
- playful spontaneity throughout the album
Maybe skip if you
- prefer long, immersive tracks
- seek slow, reflective moods
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in late 2020, Cuttin' Grass, Vol. 1 marks Sturgill Simpson's return to his roots after a series of genre-defying projects. This album follows his critically acclaimed, experimental work, Sound & Fury, showcasing his versatility as he revisits earlier songs in a bluegrass style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chris Stapleton· Jason Isbell· Brandi Carlile
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 All Around You 3:09
- 2 All the Pretty Colors 2:18
- 3 Breakers Roar 2:29
- 4 I Don’t Mind 4:29
- 5 I Wonder 3:14
- 6 Just Let Go 3:02
- 7 Life Ain’t Fair 2:00
- 8 A Little Light 1:44
- 9 Life of Sin 2:17
- 10 Long White Line 2:21
- 11 Living the Dream 2:30
- 12 Old King Coal 2:52
- 13 Railroad of Sin 2:12
- 14 Sitting Here Without You 1:55
- 15 Sometimes Wine 3:55
- 16 The Storm 2:31
- 17 Time After All 2:14
- 18 Turtles All the Way Down 2:18
- 19 Voices 3:37
- 20 Water in a Well 3:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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