The sweet sound of harmonious Americana Bluegrass is alive and well on the album of Fear Of Falling Stars, the 2023 release by Kristen Grainger & True North. Start to finish, the 10-track, 35 minute album marks yet another step forward by this long-favored Oregon-based band. Much like the 2020 release of Ghost Tattoo, 2023’s Fear Of Falling Stars percolates with a laid-back, sublime sound that makes it a good choice for modern day country-pop and bluegrass fans.

As on their earlier albums, Kristen gets top-notch support from the True North band featuring Dan Wetzel (guitars, lead and backing vocals, mandola), Martin Stevens (mandolin, fiddle, vocals) and Josh Adkins (acoustic bass, harmony vocals). While Kristen takes the lead vocal spotlight on a good part of the album, Dan Wetzel also takes the lead vocals on several tracks and of course, the combined vocal harmonies of each member adds to the album’s overall unity and strength.

The lead off track “Don’t Take Me Back” is a definite highlight, while the track “The Avalanche” is well represented by a fine new video currently making video rounds on YouTube. The band’s website features all their album lyrics. If you take your bluegrass and acoustic Americana country music in a calm, cool and collected manner, then the 2023 release of Fear Of Falling Stars from Kristen Grainger & True North should be right up your musical alley.

Robert Silverstein
Roots Music Report