[rating=9.00]
Somewhere between the sparse, sly delivery of Mark Sandman’s Morphine and the formidable big brass sounds created by acts like Tower of Power lies Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal. Having recently undergone a name change, (formerly Josh Hoyer and the Shadowboxers), their second LP is a lush, atmospheric record, one that paints an anthemic portrait of love and life after dark. A whiskey-stained, smoke-filled powerhouse of soulful rhythm and blues.
With only six tracks, all but one topping out at well over five minutes, Hoyer takes his time crafting his stories, as the frontman alternates between a Hammond B3 and Wurlitzer, his vocal delivery plays like a velvet-tinged Tom Waits. Effortlessly commanding complex arrangements with his formidably-sized band, laced heavily with horns but never letting one instrument fully dominate the spotlight. Recorded in one take, direct to disc, Cooked Raw gives a palpable sense of the six-piece band as a live entity, one that puts on a smart and seductive live show.
Riff-heavy tracks like “Misfit Children” and “Make Time For Love” take an authoritatively danceable approach, offsetting lyrics that are closer to long-form narrative, another advantage of the longer running times to really explore their personalities. Alternately, with songs like “Illusion,” Hoyer’s keyboards take on a delicate, Manzarek-like quality as they decorate the backdrop of the pronounced horn section.
Marcus Lewis on trombone and Mike Dee on saxophone make for a fully integrated two-man horn section, who feel organic to the songs, instead of simply resting on top as an afterthought. Together, Memphis Shephard on drums and Josh Barger on bass provide the “tight as a fist” rhythm section that allows for such nuanced and free-to-explore songs without straying into anything aimless or free-form. Guitarist Ben Kushner regularly provides clean and deliberate riffs, sprinkled occasionally with a wah-wah tone, all of which compliment Hoyer’s melodic keys.
In short, Cooked Raw is an infectious, finely crafted record where the meticulous presentation is backed by considerable substance. Having heard it on both formats, those who appreciate the vinyl things in life will want to opt to go that route, as it’s the perfect record to have the needle hit as soon as the sun goes down.
[youtube id=”iTjqtgchf-s” width=”630″ height=”350″]
One Response