Unbelievable (CD - 1998)

Diamond Rio: Marty Roe (vocals); Jimmy Olander (acoustic & electric guitars); Gene Johnson (mandolin, background vocals); Dan Truman (keyboards); Dana Williams (bass, background vocals); Brian Prout (drums).

Additional personnel: John Catchings (violin); Kristin Wilkinson, Kathryn Plummer (viola); David Davidson (cello); Michael Wyatt (percussion).

"Unbelievable" was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal.

Personnel: Marty Roe (vocals); Jimmy Olander (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Gene Johnson (mandolin); John Catchings (violin); Kathryn Plummer, Kristin Wilkinson (viola); David Davidson (cello); Dan Truman (keyboards); Dana Williams (bass guitar); Brian Prout (drums); Michael Wyatt (percussion).

Audio Mixer: Mike Clute.

Liner Note Authors: Diamond Rio; Mike Clute.

Recording information: MidTown Tone & Volume; Omni Studios.

Photographer: Senor McGuire.

Unbelievable finds Diamond Rio extending the stylistic diversity that marked IV, but this time around, they have a better, more memorable set of songs that makes it their best album in a long time. Diamond Rio are professionals, and that's part of their charm. They can deliver any song smoothly, and make their musical eclecticism easy to swallow. Also, Marty Roe's rich, nuanced vocals make the mediocre material (and there are a couple of weak cuts here and there) sound sweet. It's not perfect, but Unbelievable nevertheless offers proof that Diamond Rio has found a near-irresistible mix of contemporary country and bluegrass. ~ Thom Owens

Few country groups can touch Diamond Rio when it comes to sheer musical talent, and UNBELIEVABLE shows why. This immaculately-produced album features strong material, great vocal harmonies and flawless musicianship--all hallmarks of the group's sound. The six man band is versatile enough to handle both the high speed exuberance of the goofy title track and the haunting "You're Gone," a moving description of how people can touch our lives, and then suddenly disappear.

Another standout is "Long Way Back," a character study of a man coming to terms with the fact that he's screwed up big time in the love department. But it's the last two cuts--"I Know How the River Feels" and "(I Will) Start Over Again"--that really shine. Both are uplifting, breathtakingly beautiful songs, one about the overwhelming power of love, the other about the overwhelming power of the human spirit. It's on these two tracks that UNBELIEVABLE truly lives up to its title. minimize