Chris Thile's How To Grow A Woman From The Ground

The title track of Chris Thile’s latest, How to Grow a Woman From The Ground becomes a jazzy and cool version of the chilling song written and released earlier this year by Tom Brosseau. Following the announcement of Nickel Creek’s break up, Thile is never caged and truly rocks on featured songs written by The Strokes and The White Stripes.
Thile soars on the album’s instrumentals – his speed and technique is impressive, but his taste is never impaired. The album is not overwrought with only showy chops; on the gem of the album, “You’re an Angel and I’m Gonna Cry,” Thile’s voice is sweet and subtle and the melody and theme of the chorus pays homage to the Hank Williams classic, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” Thile is clearly influenced by the past but also shaped by his contemporaries – he creates a timeless record that is totally identifiable with our times. While more traditional-minded fans might miss the charming twang of Thile’s old ensemble, it’s probably for the better that one of music’s most talented stars gets to push his own boundaries.