Bluegrass Pop From Massachussetts

I’ve talked before about how the first and best lineup of The Seldom Scene took combined un-bluegrass elements to create a progressive bluegrass masterpiece.

Massachusetts indie kids, Darlingside, do the opposite, using fat harmonies, a heaping helping of banjo, and a lead guitar line suggestive of the mandolin to craft a stunning pop symphony.

Their work has been compared to the best of CSNY and, while I hear a little of that, I am reminded far more of the ringing harmonies of The Hollies and the classical sensibility of The Beach Boys.

Those influences are best heard on the studio version of “My Gal, My Guy”, but you might be forgiven for wondering if Darlingside can cut it live. Yes, they can.