Through numerous personnel changes across 18 years, the Lonesome River Band has established itself as one of the definitive groups in contemporary bluegrass. On this 2000 release, the ensemble recaptures the rocking drive and bluesy thrill of its early, still hungry, live performances. After 1999"s mellow, polished Finding the Way--bassist Ronnie Bowman jokingly calls it "our pop album"--the band returns to more of a hard-smacking bluegrass sound, rooted in devastating harmonies, timeless songs--old, new, and unknown--and the kind of adventurous picking demanded of such acclaimed musicians. Banjoist Sammy Shelor sounds as if he"s been freed from all expectations--traditional or progressive--playing with a rare fire and inventiveness. Don Rigsby builds on the back-to-basics experience of his all-star band Longview, turning in some of the most moving, in-the-pocket vocals of his career. Talkin" to Myself speaks across generations of bluegrass--with focus, intelligence, and power. --Roy Kasten