A nice balance between modern, traditional

by Jim Trageser
This review first appeared in the July 31, 1992 issue of the North County Blade-Citizen (now North County Times).

A traditional country combo with a contemporary approach, Front Range combines the best of old and new country musics for an appealing, fresh sound.

Fronted by two strong vocalists in mandolinist Mike Lantz and Ron Lynam (banjo), the band also features four strong pickers (Bob Amos, guitar, and bassist Bob Dick round out the quartet). Lantz especially shines as instrumentalist on "Down in Caroline," while Lantz plays some mean banjo on "Chains of Darkness."

It's this combination of traditional picking (of an uncommon quality!) and Amos' modern, accessible songwriting that makes Front Range very reminiscent of early Ricky Skaggs recordings. One only hopes that when fame finds Front Range, they do as admirable a job as Skaggs at balancing commercial appeal with respect for tradition.