Nickel Creek: Chris Thile (vocals, guitar, banjo, bouzouki, mandola, mandolin); Sara Watkins (vocals, fiddle); Sean Watkins (guitar, baritone guitar, bouzouki, piano, background vocals). Recording information: 2005. Three years after their Grammy-winning 2002 album, Nickel Creek released WHY SHOULD THE FIRE DIE, a record that shows a distinct maturation in the young bluegrass trio's sound. While the instrumental interplay between mandolin player Chris Thile, guitarist Sean Watkins, and fiddle player Sara Watkins is still prominent, this outing carries a darker tone than past efforts, and gives added focus to the group's storytelling talents and vocal performances (which often include three-part harmonies). Many of the songs, including the lilting "Eveline" and the bold, rock-tinged "Helena," are thoughtful character sketches that carry more emotional weight than earlier albums. Another sign of the band's evolution is the absence of producer Alison Krauss (here replaced by Eric Valentine and Tony Berg). While Krauss's considerable influence is still apparent, the group confidently emerges from under her shadow here, and the result is one of Nickel Creek's most compelling albums.
Disc 1: When In Rome (4:15) Somebody More Like You (3:01) Jealous Of The Moon (4:41) Scotch & Chocolate (3:07) Can't Complain (5:34) Tomorrow Is A Long Time (3:36) Eveline (3:11) Stumptown (1:43) Anthony (1:55) Best Of Luck (3:22) Doubting Thomas (3:19) First And Last Waltz (1:53) Helena (4:45) Why Should The Fire Die? (2:50)