Not entirely. The Foghorn String Band seems to live in some ancient world free of multi-track recorders and major label commercialism. Reap What You Sow is a collection of mostly runaway truck-paced square dance tunes that will find you forgetting everything you believe about the world of square dance. Recorded live and with a single microphone placed in the middle of the room, Reap What You Sow hearkens back to a time when recording a band meant little more than the push of a button. These songs by the likes of Dock Boggs, Gid Tanner and The Carter Family remain true to your grandfather's old-time style but the Foghorn String Band possess a DIY sensibility that makes them fresher-sounding than most of the music passed off as alternative these days.

Like any square dance group worth it's bourbon, Foghorn String Band centers it's sound around the fiddle. Stephen "Sammy" Lind is the Foghorns perfect point man; he holds the whole thing together while leaving plenty of room for the rest to shine.
And shine they do. The mandolin of Caleb Klauder and banjo of The Reverend P.T. Grover, Jr. (Kevin Sandri, guitar, and Brian Bagdonas, bass, round out the group) never slow down or quiet up just because they play in some fiddle band. In fact the opposite is true- the five play the hell out their instruments, trading modest leads around the same microphone while deftly avoiding each other's musical toes. The music reels and rolls and when it does slow down, it's just long enough for you to catch your breath before stomping out across the barn floor for yet another twirl.

Reap What You Sow is a success for several reasons. With many of its songs written and originally recorded before 1930, it's a great history lesson and testament to longevity of those pioneers' works. It's proof that one can make a vital record without a roomful of expensive equipment and producers. All you really need is a little vision and a solid belief in the music you're making. But most importantly, Reap What You Sow works because it's an album by five talented musicians content to make music they like with no regard for current trends or styles. You will like it too.

By Mike Sheahan