Ranch Hand Robbie and the Wasteland Wranglers - Off The Grid

 (3 customer reviews)

This album is an acoustic exploration from fantastic-band-that-happens-to-be-steampunk, Abney Park. The result of a very well received April Fool's joke combined with fan and peer requests for an acoustic sound; the entire album is unplugged. With a mix of acoustic versions of older material from the band's past 4 albums and new material, the album manages to still have an overall cohesive feel.
Standout tracks include:
Bad Things Coming - Given the sadness of Ranch Hand Robbie's story, it's almost a crime that this song is so catchy.
To the Apocalypse in Daddy's Sidecar - Somehow the acoustic version of this song even more strongly evokes the vivid imagery and sweet emotional pull of the lyrics.
Stigmata Martyr - An acoustic face lift and Jody Ellen's smooth vocals have made this song fresh and new, despite having originally been released on The Death of Tragedy in 2005.
I would recommend this album to both existing Abney Park fans, as well as anyone wanting...Read more

I am a new fan to Abney Park, and like you, have never heard of the steampunk genre until I looked into this band. Their sound is nothing like I've heard before. I'm a lover of folk, classical, rock, country, and world music - and now this! I love the acoustic sound of this collection, and every track is rich with layers of meaning. "Off the Grid" is fun, with a great beat. "The Ballad of Ranch Hand Robbie", "Evil Man", and "Space Cowboy" evoke a futuristic-Western image, creating a sound experience I've not had before. The lyrics to "Increased Chances" are hilarious and thought-provoking. I will be purchasing their other albums, but I think this is a great introduction to a band EVERYONE should know about.

This latest album from Abney Park is an interesting combination of legacy material and a few new tracks, re-mastered in an "unplugged" format. Although the track list might resemble a sort of "greatest hits", with so much pulled from previous albums, these select songs are actually deep-tracks that seem to be better served as an acoustic rendition. Of the remakes, "I've been Wrong Before" and "Daddy's Sidecar" are real standouts, with a very western feel that translates well to the new album. The added depth and nuance of live instruments make these two tracks feel more alive than the prior studio versions. Warm and exciting are two words that best describe these.

Some new tracks are also included for good measure. "Stigmata Martyr" is the crown jewel of the album. The natural bass and guitar riffs are aggressive, but at the slower tempo of the song, create a track that feels emboldened and full of purpose. The thought provoking lyrics are equally as bold, forcing...Read more