Fast Paced World - Dark Publications

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•	The Duhks

Editorial Reviews:

Album Description
Hailed by The New York Times as one of the artists at the forefront of the neo-folk movement, The Duhks continue the evolution with their fourth album.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars

The Duhks - Fast Paced World September 14, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

Fast Paced World (2008, Wel) The Duhks' fourth studio album. ***

I'm not sure how the Duhks attained the label of "progressive bluegrass," but I think that is hardly what I would call it. In fact, to even attempt to define their genre is difficult, and in their case it's not necessarily a compliment. Fast Paced World often finds the band trying to do too much, ranging from their original bluegrass roots to world, blues, and straightforward jam. To add on top of that, lead singer Sarah Dugas hardly fits the band's approach. Dugas is a jazz singer, plain and simple, and her husky Feist/Winehouse sounding vocals don't suit what the band should be attempting. Now, her voice is very rich and is excellent, and it works great on African pieces like "Magalenha" or the thunderous opener, "Mighty Storm." The problem? A cover of something like "Magalenha" doesn't belong here.

None of the material is bad or poorly performed, but because none of it adds together in any logical sense, you're left wondering what the band was thinking when they went into the studio. It's not unreasonable to entertain the thought that a computer came up with the track sequencing, as random order would work nearly as well as the arrangement they have here. While Fast Paced World may sound good, it's ultimately an aimlessly meandering album, attempting to bring an established sound (which isn't established) to a wide array of genres.

5 out of 5 stars

ODD DUHK - GOOD DUHK!! August 26, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I feel inadequate to review this album - I have a hearing loss which prevents me from noticing nuance, but the music is so exceptional I can hear between the lines. The Duhks are an eclectic mix of traditional and modern styles. "Mighty Storm" a traditional song is infused with modern instruments and yet maintains an old time sensibility. It is iconic of the band leading you into an old folk song in ways you have not considered.

Sarah Dugas, the lead singer, ably replaces Jessee Havey the former lead singer, bringing her distinctive voice to the album. Ms Dugas, maintains a distinctive style but you hear echoes of Macy Grey in "this fall" and Alicia Keys/Billy Holiday in "sleepin' is all i wanna do". Leonard Podolak , the founder, provides the only non-Dugas lead vocal in "95 South" a rollicking blue grass infused song. Jordan McConnell, as usual, provides exquisite guitar support. Tania Elizabeth sustains the superb string support to the project and co-wrote the haunting, jazz infused "i see you". Christian Dugas, replacing the remarkable Scott Senior, blends seamlessly into the mix. Traditional arrangements presented are along with band written ones and a French song by Sarah Dugas.

The Duhks are not a genre based band. They incorporate what ever fits into their sound and they cannot be defined by any label. Give a listen and buy.

5 out of 5 stars

Amazing Album! October 4, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

I have been listening to The Duhks for a long time, and I really enjoy their music. This album exceeded my expectations...I bought it without even previewing the songs...and that is justifiable because it is just simply amazing!

4 out of 5 stars

The Duhks are evolving November 16, 2008
I've enjoyed The Duhks' other albums so I was excited to hear they had a new one out and curious to find out what their new members have to contribute. I like this album a lot but for very different reasons than I like their other work. On previous albums, instrumentals were a highlight but I was underwhelmed by them this time around ("Adam's 3-Step," "Ship High in Transit," "New Rigged Ship"). Also, while Leonard Polodak's vocals were some of my favorites before, I skip his "95 South" on this album. That said, there is a lot to enjoy here. Sarah Dugas' voice and songwriting skills are great additions to the group. My favorite tracks are "Fast Paced World," "This Fall," and "Toujours Vouloir" - even though I don't speak a word of French. Other reviewers have commented negatively on how different this album is from their others. Personally, I like hearing groups evolve over years of working together - NIckel Creek's body of work is another great example. If they didn't have anything new to say, what would be the point of putting out a new CD?

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