Celebrants

‘My God it's good to see you,’ intones Chris Thile on the opening track of Celebrants, the first all-new album in nine years by the original Americana supergroup, which was formed more than three decades ago by mandolin prodigy Thile and the uber-gifted Watkins siblings, guitarist Sean and fiddler Sara, both of whom were then not yet teenagers. The 21st-century adult version of Nickel Creek, augmented for this project by Grammy-winning producer, songwriter and bassist Mike Elizondo (Fiona Apple, Eminem), has recorded a wondrously entertaining concept album, which, according to the official press release, ‘explores the inherent dynamics of human connection.’ To wit, with superb support by Watkins’ ripping violin, ‘Strangers’ evokes the out of sight/out of mind syndrome, which can turn friends into strangers. With Watkins again in the spotlight belting out the song's lyrics like she means it, ‘Where the Long Line Leads’ exposes Nickel Creek's progressive bluegrass roots while reminding all to amply appreciate one's mortal coil before it unwinds into oblivion. Not to be missed is ‘To the Airport,’ a reverently rendered ode to TSA workers featuring poignant lyrics (‘for the good folks who/we pay to look for bombs/in each other's boots’) and breathtaking a cappella accompaniment.