The String Cheese Incident (SCI) is mandolinist/violinist Michael Kang, guitarist Billy Nershi, bassist Keith Moseley, pianist Kyle Hollingsworth, and percussionist Michael Travis. They formed in Colorado in 1993, originally playing for lift tickets to ski resorts throughout the West. They built a rabid fan base by playing more than 170 concerts a year.

The demise of Phish in 2004 begged the question of what band was going to take up the mantle that Phish seemingly took up when Jerry Garcia went to the Great Kool-Aid Acid Test in the sky in 1995. Along with moe., one of the more popular jam bands in recent years has been The String Cheese Incident (SCI) As a fan of Phish, I thought I might give their most recent release 2005’s One Step Closer a shot. My only knowledge of the band’s sound was that they tended toward a bluegrass style.


In the Mellow Vein


Give Me the Love(Kang) is the first track a driving acoustic guitar based track. Some pretty harmonies fill your speakers and interesting words like “May there be a bed of mercy to lay my anger down, to fill the emptiness where there is no sound.”



Big Compromise (Nershi) has a slow percolating start with some good contrasting slide steel guitar. As the band talks about in the accompanying sampler DVD, this is a good metaphor for being in a band. The producer, Malcolm Burn, talks about how he was in a band that couldn’t see eye to eye and they broke up rather than try to give some ground and agree. “Maybe too many heads are better than one.” Some sentiments that make you think that it is hard to relinquish what you really think for the greater good.

Until the Music’s Over (Moseley) reminds me a lot of something off of Widespread Panic’s Everyday record. “My heart’s like a stopped clock, twice a day it’s right on time”. Some good background instrumentation near the end doesn’t save this one from being a fairly ordinary song that doesn’t go anywhere.

Silence in Your Head (Hollingsworth) is another slower one featuring more piano presence than previous tracks. This one loses something in the last verse as it becomes too anthemic with too many voices detracting from the whole.

Farther (Nershi) begins in an acoustic vein. An acoustic guitar and mandolin strum in time joined then by an organ. This is a pretty song about pushing yourself “farther along”

Betray the Dark (Kang) shows why the band brought in a percussionist for the recording. This stripped down track features a variety of percussive instruments in an acoustic setting. This has an interesting groove but no bridge so it doesn’t really go anywhere musically.

45th of November (Hollingsworth, Robert Hunter) is another track in the vein of knowing when to compromise. Mandolin is prominent in the mix here, accordion in the background and in a brief lead part provides good flavor. The tempo is something like a waltz or a graceful march. A primarily mellow track that builds the tension briefly and makes you sway in your seat.

One Step Closer (Nershi) is one of the strongest tracks on the record. The piano is the lead instrument here. An appropriate song to use as the title track. The riff is simple but effective. The lyrical message of love’s long road seems appropriate for the generally upbeat nature of this record.

Somewhat Edgier Songs


Rainbow Serpent (Kang) gets a bit of the funk out. As the title might convey, the lyrics tend toward the trippy. “In the veins of a leaf or the diamonds of our eyes, she lingers there, 3-D debris a heart of chrome, runnin’ scared as the lizards roam.” Ok. Mr. Kang, that doesn’t make a lot of sense but the words seem to sound good together. The bridge sounds like the guys have been listening to Aja by Steely Dan.

Sometimes a River (Moseley) features a scratchier guitar sound and more echoed vocals. Words seem to tell a story of a variety of experiences that change you. “Sometimes a River is high, sometimes a river is dry.” Not anything too profound there but a catchy little number. A variety of pleasant solos on organ and guitar are sprinkled throughout.

Drive (entire band) is an excellent song about….take a guess?. “Trees pass by like Van Gogh’s brush.” Fans of the band probably enjoy this track’s theme of travel. The band picks up the pace on the tempo. Each of the vocalists seem to get a shot at a verse. One can picture fans twirling about on the periphery of the stage as the band morphs into an extended improvisation. It wouldn’t surprise this reviewer to learn that each member wrote their own verse here.

Swampy Waters (Travis) reminds me a lot of Phish’s snappy “Chalkdust Torture”, a fan favorite. Uptempo with a scratchy guitar sound. The lyrics are not terribly linear. “Swampy waters seem so warm, swimming with the devil through the candy store.” And “I need a good dream, as good as it gets.” This is a fun party song that the fans probably enjoy live if they haven’t heard it too much.

Brand New Start (Moseley) seems a good title for the last song on the record. This goes back to the mellow mood of most of the record. We hear the harmonica as a lead instrument for the first time and a pretty steel guitar. This could pass for a Neil Young song in the Harvest era of the early 70s.

In the End

This is a very solid record with a variety of sounds on it. This is not one that is going to blow out your speakers. One can here some bluegrass influences on here but there really isn’t anything in the purely bluegrass style. This is an album by a mature band of songwriters and players who know what they are doing.

I don’t think it is one you desperately need in your collection, but if you are a fan of bands like Phish and Widespread Panic, you should find many moments of enjoyment here.


Standout Songs: Swampy Waters, Sometimes a River, One Step Closer, 45th of November

Forgettable Songs: Until the Music’s Over, Silence In Your Head


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Hanging With Friends