Outside Inside  (Audio CD) 
by String Cheese Incident

"Outside and Inside" and "Joyful Sound" are as pure as SCI-brand rock gets, and while "Close Your Eyes" and "Search" represent a slight lull in the intensity, "Drifting" won't so much like a lull as a sleep inducing aid (in the good kind of way). "Black and White" and "Lost" represent the jazz side of the album, while "Sing a New Song" reminds of me of something out of a commercial advertising canned chili that's set out on the Western desert frontier. It transitions nicely into "Rollover", which has a beat that is nothing short of addictive. Capping off the 55-minute album is the CD's only bluegrass tune, "Up the Canyon," which has amazingly and successfully been converted to funk for recent live performances.

The funny thing about this CD, and the others in general, is the fact that each of the band's songwriters seem to possess a theme in their songs. Want a song about a guy down on his luck trying to find his personal silver lining? Kyle (the keyboardist) is your man. Want a reaching song with overtones of the tenuous relationships between the many peoples of the earth? Try mandolinist Michael Kang. And for songs of wonderment at the majesty of nature and life in general, it's a coin toss between acoustic guitarist Billy Nershi and bassist Keith Moseley.

Hardcore SCI fans might find this one a tad simplistic by live standards, but you can't go far wrong with it if you're someone being pressured into experimenting with their sound. It is a far cry from the sounds of Born On the Wrong Planet and Round the Wheel, but for people who prefer a rocksy sound, this is the one to get first.

2 of 2 found the following review helpful:

Now we're having fun!  Aug 01, 2003
Juicy! I picked my first String Cheese Incident cd from a girl that thought that it would be "my type" of music. She was damn correct! These guys have produced some of the most fun and professional music I've ever listened to. Outside Inside is another great studio cd, such like 'Round the Wheel. The whole cd is packed full with excellent tunes. You get everything from a beautiful groove of latin, to a nice bluegrass feel, and fun funk. Other bands have trouble doing what this group has mastered. A personal favorites is "Close Your Eyes", which is a simple yet powerful funk song. I've also fallen in love with "Roll Over", which can be described as a type of new age jam song, with a electronic twist to it......something that the String Cheese Incident first tried on this cd. Rollover, alone is an experience...never the less, the entire cd. Sit down, get up, drive around, walk about......whatever you're doing, you'll enjoy listening to this cd over and over.

2 of 12 found the following review helpful:

SCI's Most Boring Yet  Oct 23, 2002
I am a fan of the band (live) and think they have great promise. That said, I was less than excited after listening to "Outside Inside" upon release in 2001. Just a tired sound altogether. I DO reccomend the great "Carnival '99" double live release to those interested in checking out String Cheese in their best form.

0 of 1 found the following review helpful:

Great Album  Jun 27, 2002
This is a great album and the Cheese is a great band. They put on amazing shows are some of the most talented musicians out there today, jamband or not.
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