Creaking Tree String Quartet

Lock up your doors and hide your daughters, the four gentlemen of the acoustic apocalypse are comin' a knockin' to romance them with "Sliding Down" or work them into a dancing frenzy with "Waymoot." The Creaking Tree String Quartet, with members of Crazy Strings and the Foggy Hogtown Boys, have discovered something grand on this self-titled debut — namely the chemistry between them. Adventurous and playful, the quartet is like Zubot and Dawson, only with 21 strings. Acoustic roots music has come too far to remain within the jazz or bluegrass confines and this album is a good example. Players schooled in both genres, Creaking Tree have fun with both but are never too reserved to leave them completely behind either.