'Round the Wheel
The String Cheese Incident · 1998
55 min · 11 tracks · bluegrass music
A vibrant blend of bluegrass, rock, and improvisation that creates a joyous celebration of musical exploration.
Top tracks — play these first
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Come as You Are — This track showcases the band's ability to seamlessly blend genres, with its reflective lyrics and infectious groove making it a fan favorite during live shows.
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100 Year Flood — With its introspective narrative and dynamic instrumentation, this song encapsulates the band's penchant for storytelling amidst complex musical arrangements.
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'Round the Wheel — The title track exemplifies their signature improvisational style, weaving together intricate melodies and rhythms that invite listeners on a musical journey.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
'Round the Wheel showcases strong songwriting with a focus on improvisation, appealing to both casual listeners and jam band enthusiasts.
What we noticed
- The album features extended instrumental sections that allow for improvisation, particularly in tracks like 'Galactic' and 'MLT'.
- The first half of the album maintains a lively pace, while the second half introduces more reflective and slower tracks.
- 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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7/10
- 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
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long immersive listening sessions
- wave-like pacing and flow
- reflective moments of introspection
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1998, 'Round the Wheel marked The String Cheese Incident's fourth studio album, solidifying their presence in the jam band scene. Following their self-titled debut and two well-received albums, this release captured their evolving sound and commitment to live performance spontaneity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Umphrey's McGee· Yonder Mountain String Band· Greensky Bluegrass
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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'Round the Wheel
The narrative shifts from personal reflection to communal celebration, emphasizing connection and unity among listeners.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Samba DeGreeley 0:42
- 2 Come as You Are 6:38
- 3 Restless Wind 3:48
- 4 On the Road 3:56
- 5 Road Home 5:07
- 6 Galactic 7:15
- 7 100 Year Flood 6:11
- 8 MLT 6:26
- 9 Got What He Wanted 4:28
- 10 ’Round the Wheel 7:27
- 11 Good Times Around the Bend 3:26
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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