Personnel: Mike Ireland (vocals, bass, glockenspiel); Michael Lemon (guitar, lap steel guitar, mandolin); Dan Mesh (guitar, background vocals); Paul Lemon (drums). Additional personnel: Peter Kent, Nancy Roth (violin); Korrie Prescott (viola); Steve Richards (cello); David Vaught (accordion); Benmont Tench (piano). Producers: Marvin Etzioni, Mike Ireland, Holler, Michael Deming. Recorded at Studio Seven and Ocean Way Studios, Los Angeles, California. Mike Ireland draws inspiration from the '60s and '70s orchestral settings that have come to typify both the strengths and weaknesses of Nashville's assembly line approach to music. LEARNING HOW TO LIVE celebrates the emotional resonance of Billy Sherrill's infamous production techniques rather than his parallel tendencies towards cloying schlock. The richly orchestrated strings soar, enveloping Ireland and his combo. Ireland's singing brings to mind the voice of Poco's Richie Furay. In fact, subtract the cartoon-ish quality from Poco (a rock outfit that loves country but is still rock & roll), and you have a fair comparison for Mike Ireland and Holler. These songs are full of learning, lying, loving, and losing-the staples of every beating heart and furrowed brow. Loss is examined, not as a cul-de-sac of despair but as a map to greater understanding and a richer life. There's a resonant maturity to Ireland's songs, the arrangements and the performances making for a quietly stunning whole.

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Personnel: Mike Ireland (vocals, bass, glockenspiel); Michael Lemon (guitar, lap steel guitar, mandolin); Dan Mesh (guitar, background vocals); Paul Lemon (drums). Additional personnel: Peter Kent, Nancy Roth (violin); Korrie Prescott (viola); Steve Richards (cello); David Vaught (accordion); Benmont Tench (piano). Producers: Marvin Etzioni, Mike Ireland, Holler, Michael Deming. Recorded at Studio Seven and Ocean Way Studios, Los Angeles, California. Mike Ireland draws inspiration from the '60s and '70s orchestral settings that have come to typify both the strengths and weaknesses of Nashville's assembly line approach to music. LEARNING HOW TO LIVE celebrates the emotional resonance of Billy Sherrill's infamous production techniques rather than his parallel tendencies towards cloying schlock. The richly orchestrated strings soar, enveloping Ireland and his combo. Ireland's singing brings to mind the voice of Poco's Richie Furay. In fact, subtract the cartoon-ish quality from Poco (a rock outfit that loves country but is still rock & roll), and you have a fair comparison for Mike Ireland and Holler. These songs are full of learning, lying, loving, and losing-the staples of every beating heart and furrowed brow. Loss is examined, not as a cul-de-sac of despair but as a map to greater understanding and a richer life. There's a resonant maturity to Ireland's songs, the arrangements and the performances making for a quietly stunning whole.