This World Oft Can Be

Having listened to their first record I Built This Heart easily a couple hundred times, it is fair to say that I had unrealistically high expectations for their follow-up and label debut This World Oft Can Be. While the album is a solid follow-up to I Built This Heart, it contains very few new ideas that clearly separate it from its predecessor and ends up feeling like I Built This Heart 2.0 but not quite as strong of a release as the original. The album opens with "Letters From Down the Road" which is not nearly as strong of an opener as "Jamie Dear" from the last record. Its short chorus melody will stick with you but it does not contain the fantastic hook that "Jamie Dear" had and sounds like it could have very well been a B-side from the last record. Next is "Maybeline" which is very reminiscent of tracks like "Sweet Verona" or "Blessed Hands." It is a solid track that doesn't deviate from the formula of either of those songs. The third track on the record is the wonderful "Paper Prince" which is one of the few songs on the disc that tries to do something new with the Della Mae formula. It features some terrific instrumentation that does not sound like anything else on the record. The melody throughout is fantastic and will quickly get stuck in one's head. It is followed by the album's first single "Empire." It is a fun, upbeat song that features a great verse melody but a forgettable chorus melody. The fiddle melody really shines on this one. "Hounds" is one of the more forgettable tracks on the record. It won't go anywhere that Della Mae fans aren't expecting. The first cover of the album's three comes in the form of "Ain't No Ash Will Burn," and unlike I Built This Heart in which the covers mark the low points of the record, "Ain't No Ash Will Burn" is one of the standout moments on the album. A beautiful 3/4 ballad sung to perfection by Celia Woodsmith. It leads to my favorite original track on the record "Heaven's Gate." A fantastic intro leads to Celia's best vocal melodies of the record. This track epitomizes what I was expecting from the whole record. It takes the formula from I Built This Heart and matures and refines it to make the best song on the disc. Unfortunately, the album takes a step backwards with the song "Turtle Dove." I was able to hear a bit of the original version of the song at a songwriting workshop with Celia in which she played it in 3/4 instead of their standard 4/4, and it was fantastic. On top of a 3/4 time signature, the melody became quirky and interesting, and I wish that was the version that made it onto the disc. Instead, this version of "Turtle Dove" sounds like a song by a band desperately trying to copy Della Mae, but not at all succeeded. Mandolin player Jenni Lynn Gardner sings lead vocals on the fiddle tune "Pine Tree." While I understand their want to pay homage to the music that inspired them, I would have much preferred another original track here. Unlike "Ain't No Ash Will Burn," "Pine Tree" becomes a cover song that pales in comparison to most of the original tracks on the disc. The beautiful ballad, "Like Bones" brings the album back to form. It recalls the great female country singers of old and should be what contemporaries like Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood should aspire to create. "This World Oft Can Be" is another fantastic high for the record. It features the best instrumentation on the record and the melody is upbeat and extremely creative. The album ends with bass player Shelby Means singing the cover song "Some Roads Lead On." It is a pretty folk-song that is a suitable closer for the album, but I couldn't help but be disappointed at the lack of an epic like "Ballad of a Lonely Woman" closing the record.The production of the record is a definite step up from their last disc. All members are recorded to perfection. Kimber Ludiker on fiddle sounds great on this record, but unfortunately has fewer stand-out moments than on I Built This Heart. The same can be said for Jenni Lynn on mandolin and Courtney Hartman on guitar. All three parties have their moments in the spotlight, but fewer memorable moments this time around. The real standout on the record comes in the form of Celia Woodsmith who is the lead singer and principal songwriter in the group. From her days in Avi & Celia to Hey Mama to I Built This Heart, she has never sounded better than she does on This World Oft Can Be. All members contribute harmony vocals which are all dead on and superbly done as is to be expected from such a superb bluegrass group.All-in-all, This World Oft Can Be is a good record that is simply not as consistent as its predecessor. With a few notable exceptions, the record does not venture outside of the group's comfort zone and comes across as a collection of I Built This Heart B-sides. Other tracks like "Paper Prince," "Heaven's Gate" and "This World Oft Can Be" show a songwriter who is ready to throw tradition to the wind and make a record that will really flip the bluegrass community on its head. In my opinion, the world has got a modern day Loretta Lynn or Dolly Parton in Celia Woodsmith, and I don't think for a second that she has written her best songs, and I know that this group's masterpiece is nigh upon us.

Della Mae's album, The World Oft Can Be is just lovely. I didn't play it right away after the CD arrived in the mail, instead I left it on the kitchen table to wait until the time seemed right. I had some fairly heavy housework to do yesterday, which I'd been putting off for a while. I decided that I needed musical encouragement and so, with some feelings of trepidation, I broached the cellophane packaging and put The World Oft Can Be in the CD player. Boy was I relieved! Even at first listening, each song caught my attention and carried me along with it as if I already knew how it went. A collection of very well written songs indeed! And what an aid to boring housework! My cleaning and reorganising task went much more cheerfully with the aural addition of Della Mae's tight orchestration and honest vocals; usually I have to resort to eighties electronica to achieve the same result. Thank you, Della Mae: you helped me reorganise a whole room in my house. I think This World Oft Can Be is just lovely and I shall be buying anything else of yours I can find. Tour New Zealand!

After seeing Della Mae last year at Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion I bought their album "I Built This Heart." I have nearly worn out that CD and I couldn't wait for their next album. "This World Oft Can Be" is a continuation of some of the best Bluegrass music you will ever hear. It amazes me that so much talent can be brought together in the musical abilities of these talented ladies. If they were playing live near me every week I would spend a fortune just to hear them play. They are simply the best. And I can't wait to hear them live again this year at the "Rhythm and Roots Reunion" in Bristol TN/VA in Sept.

Yup, these women are from Boston! Named after a line in the Osborne Brother's song "Big Spike Hammer," that is exactly how their music will hit you. Their musicianship is excellent and tight. Although some (not I) would say there songs are derivative wasn't it Bill Monroe who said that once you've learned bluegrass make your own. That is just what Della Mae has done. If you have an opportunity to see them on Youtube or live check out the energy of Amanda Kowalsky the bassist. Incredible album from an awesome group!!!

Love these gals and was pleased to see this out in vinyl. Opened it up and really thought I was going to have to return it as there were many, many (pimples?) throughout. It plays well though, despite the pressing flaws. So for those of you who are way picky, you might want to pass on this one. Could just have been my copy though.

I heard about this group from a friend. I sampled some of their work on YouTube and immediately went searching for a CD. I found this at Amazon and ordered it. The songs are beautifully traditional blue grass with the highest quality music and vocals. Each member of the group is a world class musician and the harmonies are really sweet. Best blue grass CD I've ever heard.

Della Mae's CD, "This World Oft Can Be" is highly suggested ifyou appreciate excellent harmonies, musicianship, and song writing.I have suggested this CD to many friends and family members - all of themlove it - and I think you will not be disappointed by the energy and professionalism,talent and musical blending that occurs with this energetic all female band. Also, if you get a chance to see Della Mae perform, do it! very fun!

Nice harmony's and song choice. I saw them last summer and they rocked. This album is a little overloaded with Nashville style music conventions unlike their live show. I wish they would record 16 tons as they performed it.

Della Mae's CD " This World Oft Can Be is a really great CD from a truly great band.

Not often you get an album that gets played every day. Great melodies, wonderful musicianship and a great lead voice.Most importantly there is texture to the song list. everything is tangibly different whilst remaining true to it's form. The sign of good song-writing and a very tight band who know what they are doing.

I bought this on the off chance as it was recommended to me by someone who's opinions I respect. I listen to (and play) mostly rock so this folk/bluegrass/whatever style is alien to me. All I can say is it opened my eyes to a different genre. Every track is good, some are brilliant. There's great musicianship here with interesting and moving songwriting.Pretty much faultless and this old(ish) rocker's impressed.

I knew nothing about this band until I previewed some of the songs and that made me decide to buy the album. I have played it many times now and it's currently my favourite album. The songs and musicianship are first-class and anyone who likes Americana should put this at the top of their must-buy list.

great band from america one of my favourite albums loved every song on it great tracks like pine tree ,paper prince and the amazing song like bones it really moved me give this album a listen