Primarily comprised of covers both contemporary and classic, Jerks of Grass is able to manipulate most of the tunes it tackles into bonafide bluegrass bonanzas. “Stomping Grounds” is a mean take on the Béla Fleck favorite, in which the band boundlessly bounces ideas off of one another, sharing runs and flirting fills at a jam-ready pace.
When vocals are introduced to the mix, the band becomes an even greater force to be reckoned with. Check out the loose, fun cover of the bluegrass classic “Big Spike Hammer,” which sounds as fun as a moonshined hootenanny.
Also of note are the two mournful yet captivating originals in the set, the title track and “Something.” Although these are among the most dour on the record, they effectively create a mood which begs to be further explored.
In terms of musicianship, every player is on their “A” game. Each member has a clear understanding of where his or her instrument fits into the band, and the results firmly establish their technical prowess. Helmed by the founding duo of guitarist/mandolinist Jason Phelps and multi-instrumentalist Carter Logan, the group’s studied ability to dart and weave between licks is not lost on its fresher members, bassist Kris Day and fiddler Melissa Bragdon. As all of the players are music teachers, it is no wonder that they can offer such outstanding performances.
Unfortunately, the arrangements of these tracks sometimes leaves room for improvement. Although “Foggy Mountain Special” sounds perfectly pleasant, it is a bit too fluffy, as if it were the incidental music to a sitcom. Also, as the group switches its vocals on and off so frequently, that sometimes dilutes from the power of instrumentals or vocal arrangements.
Ultimately, “Come On Home” is best viewed as a collection of solid tracks rather than a cohesive disc. There is definitely fun to be had and this will be a great companion to summertime shows, but given their obvious chops, it would be great to hear these arrangements further develop into territory which matches the Jerks’ talent.
Maine native William Earl is a musician and music writer currently living in Boston.