On
Route 10,
Special Consensus' music ranges from rollicking, old-time bluegrass (
Ron Spears' "Say You'll Stay in My Arms") to sad sack country, complete with Top 40 vocals (the drunk-driving tale, "Amy and Trevor," for example). When engaged in the former, like on their version of Brandon Rickman's burning O Brother, Where Art Thou?-worthy "Rounder's Spirit,"
Special Consensus is virtually unstoppable -- unleashing a toe-tapping reverie of good feelings and dusty days. But with the latter, the band sounds far too everyday, and their unique talents are lost in the overly slick production and clichéd themes. Luckily, for the most part,
Special Consensus sticks with the bluegrass, and the shuffling -- if somewhat pedestrian -- story of "Bobby and Sarah" (by Daniel Irl Hees) makes up for "Amy and Trevor." ~ Charles Spano