Saturday ACL Fest 2018 Record Reviews
Trampled by Turtles
Life Is Good on the Open Road (Banjodad)
Reviewed by Doug Freeman, Fri., Oct. 12, 2018
Returning from a short hiatus while frontman Dave Simonett became Dead Man Winter, Trampled by Turtles' eighth studio effort picks up without lag. Although the eclectic Duluth, Minn., string act leads with barn-burning fiddle and blazing bluegrass speed on "Kelly's Bar," the album rides the sextet's harmony-touched ballads. "We All Get Lonely," "I'm Not There Anymore," and "Thank You, John Steinbeck" all string a melancholic but satisfied restlessness alongside the title track. Weary last word "I Learn the Hard Way" leaves off suggesting Simonett still hasn't found what he's looking for. (5:30pm, BMI stage)