Following 2007's Fork In The Road with a self-titled sophomore LP couldn't have been easy for The Infamous Stringdusters, and not just because the sextet replaced a great guitarist in Chris Eldridge with the equally stellar Andy Falco. After all, how do you live up to an award named Best Emerging Artist In A Competitive Field? By writing and recording better songs, of course. The rootsy and stark beginning of "Won't Be Coming Back" introduces the album with Jeremy Garrett's rich fiddle and porch friendly voice accompanying Chris Pandolfi's fluid banjo picking. Slide guitar, mandolin, and upright bass snap the song to life as multi-layered vocal harmonies give it wings and a destination. There aren't any barn-burners here, but "Golden Ticket" is a handsome instrumental that nicely contrasts flowing arpeggios with a matured restraint that allows each musician to bring something of equal value to the table. They also turn Sarah Siskind's serenade "Lovin' You" into a subtly bluesy ballad akin to J.J. Cale's smooth and smoky style.