By Deuce

There is much going on Little Blue Dot, the 12-cut magnum opus from The New Students. Songwriting, lead and background singing, and elaborate arrangements? You can get that anywhere, though they’re certainly on full display on this inspired effort.

No, what’s really going on here is mandolins, fiddles, and banjos. Played live, that is, none of this synthesizer business. I mean, when’s the last time you heard an upright bass on something not associated with classical or jazz music?

That instrument, the foregoing others, a healthy dose of acoustic and electric guitars, and live drums are running the show on this Long Player. Not surprisingly, the band is six members deep. And, with the hardware they tote around at rehearsals, recording sessions, and live performances, you already know what the’re coming with.

If, for some reason, you don’t, then just check for the opening number, “Black Earth Country.” Talk about advancing an agenda. As the title indicates, and everything from the heavy twang to the accent on the lead singer (either Justin Flagg or Matthew Gelfer), to the down home stomping drum pattern, everything about this tune is a nod to the southern sensibility running rampant in country western, Americana, or any other variation of such music.

Mind you, this is not dirt the singer’s comprised an ode to, but black earth country. Whichever of these gents is singing lead, he gets ample assistance from Briana Carlson-Goodman on background vocals, who sounds spectacularly sumptuous with her ooohs. Carlson-Goodman steps into the foreground of the vocal booth on “Fly Home”, showcasing more of her range. However, she’s back to her old tricks (just listen to her going “ooh, ooh, ooh on the hook) on “Madelena”, which is built around a pleasing guitar riff—though it could also be a mandolin or banjo.

This particular tune is too fast to be a ballad, yet noteworthy for its lyrical progression. It starts off as a winsome affair, with the male vocalist “counting all the ways I treated you wrong”. Before long, he can’t make it out of bed and by the end of the track, he’s all but groveling for the worthy lady, whoever she might be.

“Tell Me” combines the best of the group’s variety of guitars with a clean rim shot and distinctive drum pattern. It strongly appears to be a ballad based on the pace and feel of the track, so where does the vocalist get off asking, on the hook, “tell me what are these guns for?”

Yes, a lot goes on on this album, which requires more than one listen to fully digest—artistically, that is.