Cabinet & Driftwood — New Music Monday

Straddling the line between country traditions and jam band sensibilities, Cabinet has really started to cause a stir among several different scenes. Initiates should check out This is Cabinet Set I and II, which are both fantastic live albums that show off the band’s best stuff. “Mr. Spaceman,” off the second set, starts off as a jaunty two-four alt-country tune, but soon descends into a bit of polyrhythmic madness. Drummer Jami Novak sends the band into outer space after the strings team (JP Biondo on mandolin, Mickey Coviello on guitar, Pappy Biondo on banjo, Dylan Skursky on bass and Todd Kopec on fiddle) just destroys whatever foundation they had built up in the first two minutes of the song. It’s awesome stuff. The band’s 2009 self-titled album is also notable for its fine, fine songwriting. (Sandy)