Search - Cast Iron Filter :: Falls of the Rough

Biased? maybe. But I still like it.

jim rice | Davidson, NC USA | 12/09/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've probably said more than anyone should say about a record over at [...], but it's a shame that there is no review for this record here, so I'll give it a whirl.



I was never a huge bluegrass fan and although I'd heard of CIF for a while, I never checked out their first two albums until late in 2000. Wasn't exactly my kind of music for sure, but in concert... wow... so I started paying attention...



In 2001, the band moved on from the rather stripped sound of Paradise in Palestine and Further Down the Line to a more country-twanged sound on This Ugly Town with steel guitar player Jim Ashton. This phase quickly gave way to an almost-jam band sound with the recording of Live From the Highway with Mason Bisset on bass. The band toured on this album for a couple of years before releasing their potential swan song Falls of Rough.



Lead singer/guitarist/songwriter Dustin Edge's punk roots begin to come through more than on previous releases (especially noticeable on tracks like Model-T Ford, Where the River Fades, and Men Who Die Young) while Mike Orlando's skillful picking on the mandolin keep the album firmly rooted in their self-assigned genre of "irongrass."



The "concept album" idea is not one to which I am generally inclined to gravitate, but I don't feel as though this album forces the listener to become deeply involved in the back story associated with the songs - they can stand on their own. Heartwrenching tracks such as Power of My Hands, Grayson County, and Falls of Rough do, however, pull you into the story of the song to such an extent that you will be drawn to seek out a greater understanding. Orlando's instrumentals (Chronicle, Stringtown, and Wiregrass Trail) fit seamlessly into the larger scope of the album and give the album a beautiful dichotomy between Edge's vocal storytelling and Orlando's instrumental storytelling.



From the opening intro of Model-T Ford to the furious-paced Men Who Die Young to the album closer and title track, new drummer Brian Burton's fabulous drumming holds the album down giving it a dark occasionally depressed feel. The other half of the rhythm section, Phil Skipper, doesn't attempt to steal the show and just lays down in the pocket to hold the songs together and keep them moving foward. Although there are a few low points (Where the River Fades is, for me, the weakest song on the album as it just reminds me of Ricky Dunbar and sounds almost juvenile compared to some of the other lyrical offerings... then again, it was written by a 20-something drifter...), the album, as a whole, is an incredibly enjoyable listening experience and highly recomended to fans of "southern rock," "americana," or... well... music in general."

I'm glad I found this band

Timothy Brian Barrier | Morganton, NC USA | 07/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cast Iron Filter offers a unique style of music that you will find nowhere else. Their music is actually hard to classify but may be best described as a mixture of Bluegrass, Rock, Jazz, Folk, and even an operatic twist for Falls of Rough in what they have dubbed as "Irongrass".



Mike Orlando has taken Mandolin and Banjo playing to new levels and does much to make the band what they are. While his picking stands out on all songs, Chronicle is an amazing example of his talent.



Dustin Edge is the lead vocalist whose deep rich voice adds much character to the songs and lyrics. Power of My Hands and Grayson County are examples of what he does for the band.



Brian Burton (Drummer) and Phil Skipper (Bass Player) contribute to many of the songs driving force as can be heard in Men Who Die Young.



Together as Cast Iron Filter (CIF), the group performs high energy, great five star music.



While it was the great driving music and lyrics that attracted me to Cast Iron Filter's Falls of Rough, I found the story behind the music greatly intriguing and felt it worthwhile to share my finding as a review. I originally heard the Murder Makes a Crimson Sky cut on X County (XM radio) and first down loaded it from iTunes and enjoyed it so much that I later purchase the entire album from Amazon.com.



All songs on the album revolve around the small town of Falls of Rough from the mid 1920's to early 1950's. The six main characters are Willis Green, mayor of Falls of Rough, his wife Jennie Green who died in the 1935 flood, their daughter, Mary Louis Green who fell in love with Johnny Monahan is spite of her parent's disapproval. Then there was Lester Coggins, the sheriff of Falls of Rough who Mary Lou was pushed into marrying and Johnny's brother Ulysses. Letters from Johnny to Mary Lou infuriated Lester and resulted in a fight where she kills Lester (her husband) before he could shoot her. Then Mary Lou escapes to a life of crime with Johnny. Johnny's brother Ulysses, becomes a minister, is drafted into WWII and later killed in Korea. The details of the complete story should be read at www.fallsofrough.com as well as listened to in the songs.



Following is a summary of the songs, their time frame and my view of how they play into the overall story.



Model T Ford - 1925

Johnny Monahan's struggles to escape Falls of Rough and make it big.



Hold Your Head Up High - 1927

Samuel Morgan's (a rail worker) good time view of early Falls of Rough.



Chronicle - 1929

Arthur Surrell's (a field hand) instrumental view of 1929 Falls of Rough.



Murder Makes a Crimson Sky - 1931

Lester Coggins's dead man's tale of his wife's betrayal.



Redemption - 1934

Mary Louis Green's struggle with killing her husband and starting a life on the run with her lover, Johnny Monahan.



Where the River Fades - 1937

Johnny Monahan' story of running away with his lost love (Mary Lou) in her Daddy's Chevrolet.



27 Dollars and a Wedding Ring - 1939

Johnny Monahan's story of escaping with Mary Lou and their problems with the law by running to Mexico.



Stringtown - 1940

F.W. Peyton's (Falls of Rough Hotel Manager) instrumental view of 1940 Falls of Rough.



Power of My Hands - 1944

Rev. Ulysses Monahan's thoughts of being drafting into WWII.



When You Walk Into the Shining Light - 1935

Jennie Green's (Wife of Willis) experience of drowning in the flood of 1935.



Wiregrass Trail - 1945

Duke Morgan's (The town's store manager) instrumental view of 1945 Falls of Rough.



Grayson County - 1949

Dr. Green's (the local Doctor) thoughts on dying with and in his hometown.



Men Who Die Young - 1951

Lt. Col. Ulysses Monahan's rally cries to his troops in Korea.



Falls of Rough - 1954

Willis Green's reflections of his life and role in Falls of Rough.



I recommend giving this CD a try. You want be disappointed.

"