Mos
Isley
self-released
It’s nice to encounter a local band release with cuts that bear repeated
listening like a classic major-label record, but it doesn’t happen too
often. Chicago quartet Mos Isley pulls off that feat with this debut
release.
The group features a strong keyboardist (Jason Slade), also a fairly rare
find lately. They also have a strong guitarist (Ricky Canning), who doesn’t
dominate the proceedings excessively. Bassist Brian Kallies and drummer Tom
Miller acquit themselves well, too. Many elements of the songwriting
resemble Phish – for instance, the drum part on Shortline is
reminiscent of The Wedge, and Newbury starts with a Ya
Mar-type calypso groove and ends up somewhere between Run Like An
Antelope and Demand. However, the derivative bits are minor
enough not to spoil the fun.
Like Phish, Mos Isley usually works a twist or two even into the more
straightforward funk outings (Centipede, Goggles Pisano) to
keep things from getting overly generic. They also have an eccentric side,
demonstrated by the opener Wash Away and the slow jam (reminds me of
Uriah Heep, if that means much to anybody) that interrupts My Dear.
The vocal quality is variable, none of the lyrics pique my interest (except
one: are they actually singing "She was born a nihilist" in the chorus of
Jezebel?), and the disc is a bit scattered stylistically: Skeptic
Toss, a pomp-rocker with lyrics mentioning something about Jesus and
crucifixions, could have been axed (despite some nice playing).
Overall, though, this debut release displays a band with an unusual
intelligence as writers and players. Predictions about the Mos Isley’s
chances of broader success are a futile endeavor in today’s environment, but
here’s hoping they continue to grow.
News
Archive- Listen Now: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Drops New Song “Middle of the Morning” Off Forthcoming LP
- 2023 FloydFest Gathering in Limbo After Permitting and Logistical Challenges
- Jenny Lewis Announces New Offering ‘Joy’all,’ Shares New Song “Psychos”
- Jonathan Wilson Delivers New Single “Marzipan” and Official Music Video
- Bettye LaVette Unveils New Eponymous LP ‘LaVette!’
- Dumpstaphunk to Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Trio of Drummers at Tipitina’s in New Orleans
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Releases Daily “Cube” Schedules, Additional Festival Details
- Born & Raised Music Festival Announces 2023 Artist Lineup
Most Popular
- Tedeschi Trucks Band Treat NJPAC to Array of Euphonious Covers
- Leftover Salmon Announce New Reflective LP ‘Grass Roots’ with Billy Strings, Oliver Wood and More
- Joan Osborne to Perform the Music of Jerry Garcia and More at 10th Annual Dark Star Jubilee
- Primus, Members of Tool and More to Put on Benefit for Jimmy Hayward
- Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell Discuss New LP ‘January’ on Phish Radio
- Borderland Festival Delivers 2023 Artist Lineup: Trey Anastasio with Classic TAB, Goose, moe. and More
- Reed Mathis to Perform Gamehendge Variation After Phish at The Greek
- Jackson Browne Plots U.S. Tour Dates
No Comments comments associated with this post