$12

“Strange New World” offers a varied mix of new contemporary material. Chris West has a flair for songsmith, and wrote seven of the 13 songs. The other writers featured include Mike Dekle, Kevin Denney, Becky Buller, Jon Weisberger/Jeremy Garrett and Clint Wilson. You hear many disparate influences in Blue Moon Rising’s music, and they provide for nice contrast on a bluegrass-flavored project. The band’s traditional consciousness indicates a full understanding of Bill Monroe’s and the Stanley Brothers’ seminal music. For example, self-inflicted pain and misery is the theme for “Never Happy Till I’m Full of Sorrow,” a song that many of us can relate to when we’re experiencing exhilaration from a feeling of woe-is-me sadness. At the same time, it’s apparent that Blue Moon Rising is making their mark as innovative bluegrass ground-breakers with eclectic influences from folk, blues, singer-songwriter, gospel and country material. Will this hurt their creation of a “signature” sound? I don’t think so. This album offers plenty of highlights. Some personal favorites are Stone by Stone, My Sittin’ Window, Living Water, The Dust Bowl, Ain’t No Way, and He’s All Around Us.