[rating=8.00]
Keller William’s Vape marks his twentieth album over a span of twenty-one years. Often referred to as a one man jam band, Keller has been heavily influenced by The Grateful Dead and played with The String Cheese Incident in the late 90’s culminating with the Keller Williams Incident release Breath. Vape features Keller with appearances by John Kadlecik, former guitarist for Dark Star Orchestra and Furthur, Sam Grisman, son of bluegrass legend David Grisman, and The Travelin’ McCourys, who also appeared with Keller in his 2012 release Pick.
Vape opens with an instrumental and jam heavy track called “Off Time Chorus Line” that gives you the old school Keller vibe, transporting you to the late 90’s when he released Spun. The next track “Mantra” takes a psychedelic turn with trippy harmonizing and drum beats, chanting “No Nag Champa I forgot my mantra…Focus on your breath and feel up your surroundings…” Three tracks in Keller showcases bluegrass elements alongside electronic musings on “The Drop.” Poppy, dreamy and fun “She Rolls” shows his humorous side with a reference to Ricky Bobby from Talladega Nights. That upbeat and poppy track makes a smooth transition into the instrumental “Shinjuku”, which features jazzy rhythms with funky bass lines to provide a step back to groove. “Jesus’s Gun” is, as the title may lead you to expect, a comic-laden track where Keller sings about walking around a Super Target with an “…over the shoulder rocket launcher”, a social commentary on Americas obsession with firearms and an observation on the Christian phrase “he is risen” as opposed to “has” since “is” is more present. Quickly changing the mood, Keller transitions into the dreamy “High and Mighty.” The album finishes on a high note with “Cava,” and again we’re treated to classic Keller style jamming with intricate drum beats and wailing guitars. The ending to the album reminds you that he is firmly planted as one of the heroes of the jam band scene and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Regularly touring the country in various outfits ranging from bluegrass, solo jam shows, psychedelic rock super groups and more, Keller is one of the hardest working musicians in the scene even after doing it for so many years. His fresh studio release continues the journey that he has been on for over two decades and tells you that he isn’t slowing down.
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