Lake Street Dive Come Out Swinging On Disco-Heavy ‘Side Pony’ (ALBUM REVIEW)

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12247825_10153853858989742_4324986372281654573_oIn this age of pseudo throwback soul saturation, it seems that the list of bands jumping on this genre wagon is never-ending. Some are exceptional and others fall short. Lake Street Dive fall somewhere in the middle ground, and with their new record Side Pony, they maintain that status but with more hype than ever before. Suddenly, after years of making music together, their fanbase has grown exponentially and their buzz is undeniable. Though it may seem like the sign of a trend taking off (it is), this foursome has been in the neo soul game for quite a while. And with Pony, the band has made their most disco-heavy record yet, with a collection of mid-tempo dance tracks that are bursting with vibrant color.

Perhaps the strong competition within the genre has pushed them to make a statement, but Lake Street Dive seem to be fully announcing themselves on this record. They’re smoothed over any wrinkles and have come out swinging. “Call Off Your Dogs” and “Can’t Stop” are the album’s grooviest grooves, and it’s near impossible to avoid flashbacks to Saturday Night Fever and the like. In fact, Side Pony occasionally veers into almost costumey territory with its blatant Seventies style. And while it’s as fun to dance to in 2016 as it likely was back then, there is nothing contemporary or particularly new about it. Still though, it’s infectious, and if you can listen to either song without toe-tapping or ass-shaking, you’re probably a brick wall.

Rachael Price and her incredible, powerful voice is the obvious star of Lake Street Dive, but the band is best when they get smart with harmonies. “How Good it Feels” owes all its warmth to the backup singing, and “Mistakes”, the album’s sultriest tune, benefits from the same vocal variety. Price is a powerhouse on her own, but when her band builds her up, she’s even better.

Listeners looking for a truly authentic soul experience should steer clear of Side Pony. No matter how you slice it, the group is a bit white bread, and as catchy as some of the songs are, they come with a healthy serving of cheese. But for those looking to feel some joy, let loose and just dance, this record is absolutely satisfying.

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