By By Mike Fordham

One of the dominant acts in the current jamband scene is the String Cheese Incident. Since the 1990s, the Colorado quintet’s mix of bluegrass, rock, folk, funk and world music has quickly propelled them to success. What’s more remarkable is that the group has done so on their own terms, forming their own SCI Fidelity Records and developing a grassroots following.

As with any jamband, a new album is merely a reason to get out and tour. With String Cheese Incident’s latest release, however, the band seems to have given full concentration to the record. One Step Closer certainly sounds like a band that focused on sharp song-craft and cohesive compositions. Unlike 2003’s scattershot Untying The Not, the String Cheese Incident disciplined themselves this time around and the difference can be heard throughout the album. Opener “Give Me The Love” sets the record’s tone, showcasing the band’s tight musicianship.

Many groups dabble in multiple genres, but it takes an accomplished group of musicians to make it all work. The String Cheese Incident is adept at doing so, whether it’s folk (the gorgeous and powerful “Big Compromise”), blues-rock (“Drive”) or roots rock (“Until The Music’s Over”). It’s helpful that all five members of the group-Billy Nershi, Michael Kang, Keith Moseley, Michael Travis and Kyle Hollingsworth – are multi-instrumentalists. Most of the songs on One Step Closer will result in some truly inspiring and mesmerizing jams onstage in the future.

The funk of “Rainbow Serpent” radiates a laid-back vibe, but a muddied mix doesn’t allow for the vocals to shine. “Betray The Dark” could have been a stellar song on the album, but sounds more like an unfinished demo. The airy “Silence In Your Head” loses interest with its nebulous sound. Still, these are few complaints about One Step Closer. The only major argument is that some songs are much more memorable than others.

There was some speculation that String Cheese Incident might “take over” for Phish in the jamband scene after that group broke up. This is ridiculous, as String Cheese Incident continues to be its own entity. Their DIY ethic has led the group to prominence in the jamband community. String Cheese Incident’s newest album proves that the band’s popularity is no fluke. With more serious outings like One Step Closer, the String Cheese Incident could very well end up like the Allman Brothers Band or the Grateful Dead as legends of the scene.

The Chronicle gives ´One Step Closer´ by the String Cheese Incident four out of five stars.