Carbon Leaf - 5 Alive! (2003)

Celtic and jam band aesthetics merge to create a meandering, somewhat monochromatic impression throughout this live double-CD set. The first is the lesser element; emerald accoutrements pop up rarely in these largely acoustic mixes, and when they do they seem more decorative than essential. It would be easy, for example, to erase the prominent tin whistle part in "Wandrin' Around" without substantially affecting the song's integrity or impact. No vibrato and not much dynamic expression infect the solo and harmony vocals; even on the a cappella studio-recorded "Gloryland" the rustic Appalachian echoes come across as correct but somewhat bloodless. The band, similarly, purrs contentedly, revealing no rough edges and betraying few outbursts of passion. (The arco bass solo and snappy hand percussion that kick off "American Tale" offer stimulating contrast to this otherwise mellow flow.) Even the audience seems pretty sedate, silent during the music and warmly appreciative, though not exactly hysterical, between tracks. With plenty of familiar titles from previous albums, 5 Alive! offers comfort to the converted and something less than that to newcomers.