This Side solidifies Nickel Creek's position as the single most original and inventive bluegrass band to emerge in the early 2000s. The album, produced by Alison Krauss, topped the Billboard Top Bluegrass and Top Independent charts upon release and went Gold in the U.S., winning the band a Grammy award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. Highlights include "Speak", "Smoothie Song" and "This Side", plus a cover of Pavement's "Spit on a Stranger".