DMH's second CD is even better than Forever True (which was pretty darn good): a nice balance of nostalgia and humor, wistfulness and high spirits. A marvelous spin. Can't wait for their next album.

Playing Time – 58:26 -- Dead Men’s Hollow gets their band name from a rowdy, shady Virginia area of saloons and pawn shops after the Civil War. Formed in 2001, the band’s “acoustic Americana” emphasizes old-time (“Cuckoo,” “Old Yeller Dog”), gospel (“Glory Land”) and country blues (“The Longest Train”) with three women singing harmonies. The band includes Belinda Hardesty, Caryn Fox, Mike Clayberg, Bob Peirce, Amy Nazarov and Marcy Cochran. All six provide an a capella version of Doyle Lawson’s “Calling My Children Home.” Their acoustic instrumentation features fiddle, bass, mandolin, guitar, resonator guitar, mandolin, banjo, cuatro and khabas. Guest artist Dan Mazer joins them on three cuts, and he imparts some bluegrass banjo flavorings to “Grandma was a Cropduster,” “A Tale of the Week,” and “Glory Land.” The former, written by Bob Peirce, is an imaginative fictional account of a high-flying woman. It enlists the support of Ron Goad on backing vocals. “A Tale of the Week,” written by Mike Clayberg’s father Richard, is described as “operetta-grass.” Although occasionally a bit too methodical, the vocals are mournful while also having an earthy and warm feminine element. Band members have prior experience singing madrigals, playing in rock and blues bands, studying music, teaching school, and writing country heartbreakers. In true collaborative fashion, each band member brings things to the table that make for a convincing and cohesive musical presentation. Their instrumental work isn’t flashy, but it has whimsical old-time charm. All told, these 17 tracks have an alluring quality that is sweetly simple and expressive, illustrated best in the album’s closer “Wither’s Rocking Hymn.” (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)