Carry Me Back

Released in 2012, Carry Me Back represents a homecoming for Old Crow Medicine Show, both thematically and sonically. Produced by Ted Hutt (known for his work with The Gaslight Anthem and Flogging Molly), the album leans into the band's high-energy 'folk-punk' reputation while grounding it in sophisticated songwriting. The record is heavily influenced by the history of Virginia and the broader South, featuring tracks like 'Levi' (a tribute to a fallen soldier) and 'We Don’t Grow Tobacco' (a lament for the changing agricultural landscape). It marked a return to a more traditional string band lineup following the departure of founding member Willie Watson, yet it managed to sound fuller and more aggressive than their previous studio efforts. Critics noted the album's ability to balance rowdy festival anthems with genuine pathos, cementing OCMS as the premier torchbearers of the modern bluegrass revival.