"This is kind of one of our favorite rooms in the whole country," said Punch Brothers banjoist Noam Pikelny as he looked into the sold-out crowd that lined the rows of the Sheldon Concert Hall for this KDHX-presented show.

Punch Brothers
"Who's Feeling Young Now?"
Nonesuch

"Who's Feeling Young Now?" will prove to be one of the most respected, lauded, challenging and influential works of the year. But that doesn't mean you'll like it.

Here's my roundup of favorite country sounds of 2011. Enjoy!

Noam Pikelny
"Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail"
Compass

In "Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail," his latest solo release, Noam Pikelny has created a moving, playful collection that features so much top-flight playing it can make your head spin.

After 31 years, R.E.M. is kaput. Read the statements from the band.

Chris Thile had the idea of forming a string quintet and assembled the Punch Brothers in 2006. After his folk trio Nickel Creek went on hiatus in 2007, the band recorded the album Punch in 2008 and Paul Kowert replaced Greg Garrison as bassist for the supporting tour.

Musical virtuosity often comes with a hefty price, with artists honing their skills to the point where technique and proficiency become secondary to the music as a whole. Thankfully this was not the case with Brooklyn, NY based progressive bluegrass super group the Punch Brothers.