Spring Creek

One of the more energetic live bluegrass bands around these parts, Spring Creek brings a fair amount of that energy to Hold on Me, the quartet’s fourth release. On spirited and foot-stomping cuts like “Mockingbird,” “See Me On” and “Chase the Sun,” the bandmembers, who’ve played at some of the country’s biggest bluegrass and roots festivals, prove they’re insanely skillful at their instruments, and at harmonizing. While Spring Creek, which cites Hot Rize as an early influence, kicks up dust on some of the cuts, the slower, more heartfelt songs like “Everything Turns to Ashes” pack just as much punch. And though these guys could probably have made an outstanding album by themselves, having Grammy-winning dobro player Sally Van Meter on board as producer, as well as sitting in on two cuts, makes it that much better.