What Are You Listening To?

[SteveO]

YES indeed Ruby,,,great review ! I especially enjoyed Navigate Below ! and such a great vocalist and a great live band !

The Revivalists

Album Review - City of Sound (2012)



Band members for this release:-

Ed Williams (Pedal Steel Guitar), David Shaw (Vocals), Zack Feinberg (Guitar), Rob Ingraham (Saxophone), George Gekas (Bass), Andrew Campanelli (Drums), and Michael Girardot (Keys/Trumpet)

This is an indie rock band from New Orleans who first got together in 2007. They have an eponymous EP released in 2008 and one previous full length album, Vital Signs, from 2010.

The instruments listed above go a long way to describing this ‘rock’ band’s semi-jazzy, not-quite-big-band feel, which also somehow manages to sound current. They have an immense amount of energy and enthusiasm and do ‘rock’ entirely their own way; loose, and yet together, with catchy melodies, well written lyrics and an interesting array of sounds not traditionally associated with a ‘rock’ band, notably, that trumpet!! I love the pedal steel guitar too - good stuff. I say bravo to them – their joie de vive is infectious and they’re confident, competent musicians.

They say they love to perform live, and it shows - something just gels. A bit of messiness now and then just adds to the charm of this fusion of rock, pop, funk and soul with odd flashes of grunge. They have no fear, and are not at all confined by convention - most refreshing.

Their sound calls to mind Calexico and Hunters & Collectors, both of whom use/d the trumpet to memorable effect; not that they particularly resemble either of the two – just triggers.

This album maintains its impetus all the way through to the end, no fizzling out. David Shaw has a distinctive, good quality voice although I think he has yet to explore his full range and versatility and to settle into a groove firmly stamped as his own. He reminds me of a male version of Adele at times. Finally, these guys are equally listenable whether it’s only three of them jamming an acoustic number in the park, the full ensemble in studio, or playing a thumping live set (they don’t seem to be too precious about how many of the seven of them appear at any given time). I hope they carry on going, as I would like to hear them in a couple of years’ time when they’ve acquired the tight, together, comfortable veneer only experience can bring.

I’m using a five star method of grading ‘cause I’m a girl and need more variables. A simple one, two, three is way too cut and dried for me :redface:.
So, the key is *-dislike, **- tolerable, ***- I like well enough, **** - like a lot, ***** - love. (Not all these tracks are available on YouTube, but you can stream the album on Grooveshark or Spotify, etc.,)

When I’m Able **
When I Die ***
Upright ***
Pretty Photograph **** - https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDQsi...BuUcqPCbJM
Navigate Below **** - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M5n0EFIZNg
Criminal **** - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g654n_qniHs
Chase’s House ***** - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsiBRCd6T0o
Masquerade **
Up in the Air ***
BTBD **

3.2 out of 5, or 6.4 out of 10 – guess that means I kinda like this album.
I see Allmusic gives it 3.5. I could probably have been a bit more generous.

NOTE - This album was re-released in March 2014 with a second disc containing over an hour of live tracks not included in the review above