Carolina Chocolate Drops are the oddest band to be signed to a major label in a long time. It’s not that their type of music wasn’t popular at one point, but it was more popular about one hundred years ago; the band specializes in jug-band blues, bluegrass, and folk music. Leaving Eden is the bands fourth LP, and if you’ve listened to the bands previous albums, then you know what you’re in store for. Not much has changed, but that’s not really a detriment to the band either.

Carolina Chocolate Drops are a band that would benefit from releasing a live album, and while fans are still waiting on that, Leaving Eden does more than most of their last albums to capture that live sound. The band does experiment with new sounds a little more, especially the addition of drums. While they don’t dominate the record, the drums do make a nice complement to the first few tracks. If anything, the album’s greatest triumph is Buddy Miller as producer, who’s single room approach fits better than the individual approach of the band’s previous material, showcasing the bands ability to melt your face of with traditional tunes!

The tracks “Riro’s House” and “Ruby, Are You Mad” are aided by those percussive elements; the later of those has a nice, natural percussive element provided by spoons and  beat boxing, from one of their newer editions, Adam Matta. Rhiannon Giddens vocals continue to just stun on these records, and if you haven’t heard CCD’s track from The Hunger Games soundtrack, “Daughters Lament,” you’re missing out. The band continues to switch between vocals, but it’s Giddens vocals that really capture you on here.

If there is one criticism of the band it’s that they should write more of their own songs. This album still consists of a large number of traditionals and classics from music’s past, but the band could really have something, especially with that new line-up. Hopefully the new album will have a lot more originals, but until then, this album serves as great filler.

Album Rating: Stream It or Digitally Download It

Listening Co-efficient: Active Listen

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