My respect for country music has made me the target of ridicule among my friends for some time now. I think people tend to forget that all music is truly seperated into two categories: it sucks or it rocks. Say what you will about Country but it can't be denied that Nickel Creek rocks.

Rather than shamelessly riding the wave of bluegrass popularity spawned by the success of last years surprise O' Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack, Nickel Creek shows a side of themselves that is far less traditional. Case in point their cover of Pavement's "Spit on a Stranger." This Side definitely shows a different side of these hot-pickin' youngsters--offering more of a bent toward the love song than their hillbilly roots. Regardless your taste in music you can't deny the prodigious musicianship demonstrated by the trio--when these kids are doing the pickin' you'll be doing the grinnin'.