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Non-Prog CD Reviews

The Quick & Easy Boys

Red Light Rabbit

Review by Larry Toering

This is a trio from Portland, Oregon that will make you dance and rock at the same time. I hadn't heard of the Quick & Easy Boys before this release on Percapita Records, but they have a few and I'm all over them now that I got a hold of this from In Music We Trust. To describe the blend of styles going on, it's getting the tag of garage/indie pop/psychedelic soul. I find a lot of it to just be pure roots rock and funk. But whatever it is, it's absolutely infectious. Fun at every turn and danceable at the same time, what a mind blowing album this is!

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2012  Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review
Foster, I...
No wasting time with the pace, things get right down to an instant ferocity. This is completely jerky and quirky in the best way imaginable. Plenty of soul and rock blend perfectly, with equal originality and influence culled from both genre. One can easily tell the guitar playing is going to be a fun ride from here in particular.
Take Your Medicine
This is just so great, one of those perfect little dance numbers, with fantastic harmonies and a catchy guitar hook. A killer tune, this is so infectious. That is all there is to be said from me here, except have fun dancing away to it.
Black Panther
A choppy groove keeps this one holding down the groove, and it sounds a lot like Little Feat to me, and that can't be a bad thing, as they're a particular old favorite of mine. I just love this as well. By this point the album is shaping up well to say the least. Fantastic vocals are featured here.
Breakin' Love
This holds a skiffle type foundation with a zany vocal. It’s very tight throughout and just another totally awesome gem. This is just a hard to dislike band, that is all there is to it. This is the kind of thing that is worth looping over and over. It’s another killer track!
7 Ways
This harkens back to the sound of bands like War and even the Barkays. That’s not to say this is derivative, but I'm sure they have that taste in music in their influence tool box. There is no shred of doubt in my mind about that. This is right up my alley in every way. It’s just another monster to be found on this excellent disc. So, “get on down.”
Red Light Rabbit

The title track plays like a blend of most of the tracks so far, musically, but obviously makes an independent lyrical statement. Without knowing what it's about, something to do with “fooling around,” I can still enjoy it one hundred percent. “More great stuff” is really all there is to be said, once again.

The Letter
This is another fun number, as the rest. Man it's just so easy on the ears that it's crazy. More love is all I gain as I treat myself to this.
Senorita
An Island vibe creeps in on this number and more humor makes it. That is once again all there is to it. The swagger is in abundance and the guitar fills at their sweetest. This is absolutely lovely!
Sweet Anticipation
This kicks up a little higher with a more rocking atmosphere, and more hints of blues factors. It’s sort of like the aforementioned Little Feat influence but with a more powerful approach. This is where things rock the most.
Spicy Paella
More blues swagger kicks this one off and it just goes so well with everything else on offer. It has sort of a 90s feel but that same 70s funk and soul element is rampant, as well. A great blend is heard once again.
Daggers
This is an epic way to close such a great disc, with a completely slowed down groove that plays out like everything else in one track, somehow. This is just magical, such a well arranged number. I'm seeing a pattern lately of albums that do not slack on the last track, and this is a perfect example.

 

 

 
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