Feels So Good
TRC
Good New Music doesn’t review EPs unless the circumstances are extenuating — say, for instance, when an occasional blues-rock band comes along that makes the listener prick up his or her ears. Such is the case with the Record Company, an independent Los Angeles-based trio whose output now consists of three extended-play albums and a few stray singles.
The band’s guitarist, bass player and drummer grew up, respectively, in Milwaukee, Philadelphia and upstate New York. Perhaps this geographical diversity contributed to their well-traveled sound, sporting influences from Muddy Waters to the Stooges to Morphine. Not since Treat Her Right has a group sounded so smart, passionate and original in their approach to the blues.
Their songs have already been placed in in numerous ads and TV series, and the title track — a swampy rave-up that sounds like CCR jamming with the Yardbirds — was used in the theatrical trailer for “Last Vegas.” Not too shabby considering they formed less than two years ago.
“Roll Bones” recalls Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac, with the added attraction of a mix that puts the bass upfront and a less-is-more slide solo smack dab in the middle. “Hard Day Coming Down” has a revivalist feel, complete with heavy acoustic strumming, group-vocal refrains and a taste of harmonica. “Baby I’m Broken” features mouth harp throughout, a pseudomilitary drum shuffle, and lets the bass have a mini-workout without interrupting the vocals.
Ending with “Darlin’ Jane,” the album veers into West Coast country-rock à la “Workingman’s Dead,” perhaps not all that surprising considering the group included a laid-back cover of the Grateful Dead’s “New Speedway Boogie”on its 2012 “Covers EP” (which, by the way, is available as a free download on the Record Company’s website).
Tracks
1. Feels So Good
2. Roll Bones
3. Hard Day Coming Down
4. Baby I’m Broken
5. Darlin’ Jane
Total time: 18:46
External links
artist’s website
amazon.com
iTunes Store
