Track Listing

1. When in Rome
2. Somebody More Like You
3. Jealous of the Moon
4. Scotch & Chocolate
5. Can't Complain
6. Tomorrow is a Long Time
7. Eveline
8. Stumptown
9. Anthony
10. Best of Luck
11. Doubting Thomas
12. First and Last Waltz
13. Helena
14. Why Should the Fire Die?

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5025 in Music
• Released on: 2005-08-09
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .18 pounds

Amazon.com
Why Should the Fire Die? is Nickel Creek's first album without Alison Krauss in the producer's chair, and on it, the trio's genre-expanding acoustic music has shifted even farther away from its bluegrass origins. The opening "When in Rome" perfectly encapsulates the aggressive approach the band favors, and features poetic lyrics far more obtuse than those of most groups with similar roots. The disc's first half stays rooted in a fairly conventional folk mode, with a lovely cover of Bob Dylan's "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" (one of the few solo vocal turns from fiddler Sara Watkins) and "Jealous of the Moon" (cowritten with the Jayhawks' Gary Louris) obvious highlights.

But the album gradually grows darker. The songs take unexpected twists that are challenging and unconventional, while still emphasizing those angelic vocal harmonies that float and sting. Chris Thile's peppy instrumental "Stumptown" leads into the menacing "Best of Luck," with its edgy minor-key chorus echoed by Watkins's deceptively sweet voice spitting out lyrics of an obsessive high-school love affair gone wrong. And the drums of "Helena," one of the group's most radical compositions, bring out Nickel Creek's inner Coldplay. Not a complete break with their bluegrass beginnings, Why Should the Fire Die? is certainly the trio's boldest and most creative album, albeit one that might not appeal to their earliest fans. --Hal Horowitz

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Customer Reviews

Very pleasing (but more Sara please)
Nickel Creek have been somewhat typecast as a gentle bluegrass-pop combo, and it's true that their music is pleasant to hear. But I do admire the way they continue to stretch their musical boundaries, both lyrically and melodically. Listen to a tune such as "Eveline" on the new CD and you will hear acoustic instruments and soft vocals, but there are also complex harmonies and tricky chord changes. As others have noted, N.C. continues to evolve in interesting ways.

On the distribution of lead vocals, I do like Chris Thile's great singing - "When You Come Back Down" is one of my very favorite songs - but on this latest disc, I'm really wishing they would give Sara a chance to sing more. Chris sings seven songs this time, Sara three, and Sean one. I'm a Creek fan, although I've stopped short of buying Chris or Sean's solo albums. Sara is the one band member whose solo CD I would definitely buy -- but she has never done one.

Album of the Year! (2005)
I listen to a wide variety of music yet Nickel Creek seems to have created their own explosive yet moody genre. I enjoyed their first two albums but always thought they were just a bit too airy or fluffy. My first time through this album found me scratching my head, primarily because I believe I was listening for the Nickel Creek from the previous albums. Taking a few more spins through the disc and listening what this album really has to offer will dazzle and convince you that this group has caught fire. The instrumental work is beyond compare. I am even more amazed by the lyrical work on the album and the fact that most of it comes from the members of the group.

Each year there are only a couple of albums across all genres that truly stand out as definitive well rounded effort and not just an album with two hits and a bunch of rubbish to fill it out. Why Should The Fire Die? is the only album I have found this year that can make such a claim.

Needs a second listen
The first listen of Nickel Creek's latest was disappointing. While I enjoyed their second album, it didn't hold the warmth of their debut. "Why Should the Fire Die" leans away from traditional bluegrass and into a field that is without name. However, a second listen proved me happily wrong. Though the album is still quite progressive and lacks the intimacy that the group has shown they are capable of, there is no denying Nickel Creek's musical talents. The instrumental tracks are particularly outstanding this time around. Though I miss the simple beauty of their original debut, I'll be happy to follow Nickel Creek's journey to new territory.