Cherryholmes Cherryholmes III Don't Believe Genres:Country, Pop Cherryholmes, two-time-Grammy nominees and 2005 International Bluegrass Music Association's Entertainers of the Year, return with their third album for Skaggs Family Records, exhibiting the band's musical progression witho... more »ut losing the aggressive instrumental style and family harmonic blend for which they are known. Traditional bluegrass elements remain prevalent in songs like "Devil In Disguise" (consequently, the only song on the album not written by a member of the Cherryholmes family), "My Love For You Grows" and the catchy Celtic "Sailing Man". At the same time, advanced melodies and chord progressions are explored in "I Can Only Love You (So Much)", "The King As A Babe Comes Down", "Don't Believe", "Bleeding" and "Traveler.« less
Cherryholmes, two-time-Grammy nominees and 2005 International Bluegrass Music Association's Entertainers of the Year, return with their third album for Skaggs Family Records, exhibiting the band's musical progression without losing the aggressive instrumental style and family harmonic blend for which they are known. Traditional bluegrass elements remain prevalent in songs like "Devil In Disguise" (consequently, the only song on the album not written by a member of the Cherryholmes family), "My Love For You Grows" and the catchy Celtic "Sailing Man". At the same time, advanced melodies and chord progressions are explored in "I Can Only Love You (So Much)", "The King As A Babe Comes Down", "Don't Believe", "Bleeding" and "Traveler.
"This group is a good family group that travel around the country in a bus like lots of bluegrass bands do, Honestly,every CD that I hear gets further away from true bluegrass. I loved thier first CD, I was not crazy about "Black and White" and lesss crazy about this, Why? The 1st Cd had great songs with great hooks and melodies. There was just something special about it, lots of energy too, this is just blase' in my opinion, don't like them any less,they should try a live CD, maybe that come across better.
Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain is a group that I like much better, but it's all opinion
J"
Stronger playing, and Excellent Songwriting
John A. Gregorio | Castalian Springs, TN | 09/30/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Cherryholmes is noted for their great bluegrass playing, showmanship, and solid harmony, but what makes this ce great is the improvement in their songwriting. They are getting away from just girl/boy falls in love and gets hurt to more complex lyrics as in "This is my Son" which reveals a symbiosis between Christ's sacrifice to Our Soldiers and Sailors. There is a new found maturity in noting that those we fight for don't always understand our sacrifice for their freedom. Yet, the love songs are very good too with varied melodies(something many songwriters fail to do and their songs all sound the same.)
As in all their Skaggs Cds the instruments are fast and furious and bring back the overdrive to bluegrass."
Pros and Cons
Annaeli | Arkansas | 01/01/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Pros: Cia's voice has matured, along with her songwriting ability.
B.J. has emerged as a force on the mandolin, allowing Molly to shine on fiddle.
There's a better balance of female/male vocals than "Black and White" had (in my opinion, and this is probably because my favorite singer in the group is Cia!)
The boy-girl war isn't so much in the forefront.
Cons: Cherryholmes has lost its wholesome, family-oriented vibe.
The one song on the CD that they didn't write (Devil in Disguise) didn't add.
By the way, the title "Don't Believe" catches you by surprise. . . until you get a good look at their faces on the cover! (The song is actually about not believing everything the world throws at you, not what you think at first glance.)"
Good, but not as good as....
Thomas W. Slater | 09/30/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I "discovered" Cherryholmes last Fall after I purchased a banjo and later went to a music store to load up on as much bluegrass as my wallet would allow. To be blunt, their last album, "Black and White", practically knocked me on the floor. Some songs didn't really do it for me (I'm not religious, so I tune out a lot of gospel bluegrass), but when they were on, MAN, they were on ("I'll Never Shed Another Tear")!
Granted, I've only listened to this album a couple of times, but so far I'm generally disappointed. I wish there were more uptempo songs. And to put the ultra-religious number "The King As A Babe Comes Down" second really killed the momentum that was built by the opener, "I Can Only Love You So Much."
Don't get me wrong, now. The playing is still superb -- really there is no word to describe how good the Cherryholmes family plays its instruments -- and Cia, especially, continues to show what a long-running force she will be in the genre, not only on banjo but as a lyricist and vocalist. Youngest child, Molly, lays out a nice groove on "Goodbye" and the extremely haunting "Bleeding" is probably the best tune on the disc.
But most of the album falls a little flat. This is not something to worry about. A lot of bands make great 2nd albums, fall a little short on their third, and then make their masterpiece when they record their fourth album. I have a feeling Cherryholmes will do the same."
Great album. See them live.
Gadget & Book shopper | Houston, TX | 05/02/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I never heard Cherryholmes music until I went to see one of their shows. They are a fantastic live band. They played almost every song off this album and I had to buy it. If you like the style of music, you'll appreciate this album. And if you get the chance, go see them live."