The Wilders appear on NPR Saturday

The Wilders

The Wilders have always been best known for their energetic live shows filled with hard driving acoustic traditional country music. Their new self-titled release, "The Wilders," has expanded their repertoire to new, quite enjoyable horizons. The record starts out uniquely with Ordinary People, a mellow opener with a great acoustic guitar that immediately opens the doors and hooks you. The lead vocals of Ike Sheldon drive home the poignant lyrics, accompanied masterfully by Phil Wade on ...

Someone's Got to Pay

Murder ballads have carved the darkest corners of country music storytelling, but thanks to gonzo bluegrassers the Wilders, their full-fledged murder album has taken the quirky genre to a new level. Based on Wilders' multi-instrumentalist Phil Wade's experience as a juror on a 2005 murder trial, this is a riveting, intense 20-song tribunal laced with classic country, introspective ballads, fiery instrumentals and kick-ass bluegrass. More than a concept album, this is a compelling ...

Throw Down

Known for a foot-stomping, fiddle-shredding live show, this Kansas City quartet delivers quite the good time on its latest. Co-produced by noted Appalachian and Cajun musician Dirk Powell and the band, this is energetic with a capital "E," well-played and focused. Appropriately, ace fiddler Betse Ellis strikes the first strokes on the opening "Hawk's Got a Chicken and Flew in the Woods," which she explains in the liner notes that she learned from a Rounder Records compilation of Ozark fiddling. ...