Lindley Creek brings Bluegrass into the modern music scene with their new single “Too Bad You’re No Good.” Set to the upbeat sounds of acoustic strings, “Too Bad You’re No Good,” tells the tale of a man who’s nothing but bad news. Lindley Creek’s take on this classic subject matter is refreshing and modern. It’s certainly not the type of song you’d expect to hear from a “family band” but Lindley Creek is redefining that too. After Kathie and John Greer decided that country music lyrics were inappropriate for their kids, they were introduced to bluegrass to their kids and the rest is history. The Greer’s collectively fell in love with the genre and started learning instruments. Sometime later the family became Lindley Creek, made up of Kathie, John, Jase, and Katie Greer. With one album that was blessed by master fiddler Jim VanCleve, Lindley Creek is keeping their unique sound going with “Too Bad You’re No Good.”
Although lead singer Katie only listened to bluegrass music until she was a teenager she listens to all types of music now and is heavily influenced by Country and Pop. This openness to other sounds and finding what works best for Lindley Creek as a band is what makes Katie’s performance so captivating. Katie’s vocal range is truly on another level, there is so much control in her voice but also a natural breeziness to it that suggests she was born to sing. This ability to sound laid back or impassioned makes the lyrics and emotions on “Too Bad You’re No Good” pop. Katie sits into the feeling as she reflects on her time with a man that everyone knew was bad news but she hoped would have a different fate. Katie’s voice adds an emotional depth to “Too Bad You’re No Good” that is amplified by the sightly lonesome twang of the acoustic strings. This mix of feelings, tones, and textures make this type of track feel brand new.
Clever lyrics support Katie’s classic voice and make “Too Bad You’re No Good” instantly catchy. “You smile like an angel, lie like a rug/You wouldn’t change if you could/Cause its in your blood,” instantly introduces the man in question to listeners. While Katie goes on crooning about how no one can trust this guy, not even his mother and brother, you can help but feel her dilemma when she sings, “You made me love you so bad/Too bad you’re no good.” What I like about “Too Bad You’re No Good” is that it calls out this guys character without it feeling like trash talking. The most relatable aspect of this track is when Katie sings, “But the hardest thing to comprehend/Is if had it to do over, I’d do it again.” Somehow, “Too Bad You’re No Good” sounds like its own entity. There are plenty of songs out there about men who are bad news but Lindley Creek’s sound gives this tale a fresh and innovative take. I commend Lindley Creek for their original artistry that is highlighted and celebrated on “Too Bad You’re No Good.”
It wouldn’t be bluegrass music if there were no acoustic strings and Lindley Creek knows how to make those instruments sing. Somehow they’re able to maintain that upbeat but lonesome twang that makes bluegrass so distinct. You can hear the gentle plucking of the upright bass, the fiddle singing its siren song, and the strum of the mandolin tying it all together. The beat is predictable but the beat seems to respond and slow depending on where Katie takes her voice. Rather than a bridge there is a breakdown where the strings step into the spotlight and the Greer’s show you what they got. One of my favorite traits from “Too Bad You’re No Good” is towards the end of the track when Katie lowers her voice and the strings follow suit. This results in an unexpected but delightful sense of drama and dimension that rounds out “Too Bad You’re No Good.”
“Too Bad You’re No Good” is the latest gem from Lindley Creek, that promises an even brighter future for the group. The way everything blends together on “Too Bad You’re No Good” makes it an exciting and layered track to listen to. By pairing that inherent uniqueness with modern lyrics makes Lindley Creek makes “Too Bad You’re No Good” one of a kind. I’m so curious to see what they’ll do next and where they’ll take their sound. The more that they push the genre by blending modern influences with the old, the more magic listeners will get. I can’t wait to see where Lindley Creek takes us!
Troy Johnstone