The Staxx Brothers
Friday, 10. October 2008, 18:35:20
A while back I posted about Bumbershoot, a music festival in Seattle, and listed The Staxx Brothers, a Regional Band as a highlight. I know the guys must be giving it all they have got because they found my post and commented on it. Any band trying that hard deserves a little love. To do my part I'm putting a whole post devoted just to them. So without further ado....
If a group of iPods from all walks of life had an orgy the Staxx Brothers would be the resulting love-child. The Washington state based funk/soul/rock band is far from expected and close to a sound all their own. Their release, 12 Street Blues (free online and The Staxx Brothers), is a bit of a hodgepodge of genres but the juxtaposition of styles is welcomed and the soulful voice of David Michael Stedman ties together the rock and funk guitar riffs to the MC skills of Decurrian to the very talented Staxxettes. The album is not short on hooks and the first two tracks are real highlights. But to download the record only is like listening to a football game on AM radio; you'll know the score but miss all of the excitement. Similar to bands like the Black Crowes, the studio work doesn't capture the essence of the band. Stedman is a bit like Jack Black channeling James Brown. Even when the band is off the mark you can forgive them for the effort and theatrics. All who see The Staxx Brothers live will be converts to the church of the new blued eyed soul. And for that they are successful.
If a group of iPods from all walks of life had an orgy the Staxx Brothers would be the resulting love-child. The Washington state based funk/soul/rock band is far from expected and close to a sound all their own. Their release, 12 Street Blues (free online and The Staxx Brothers), is a bit of a hodgepodge of genres but the juxtaposition of styles is welcomed and the soulful voice of David Michael Stedman ties together the rock and funk guitar riffs to the MC skills of Decurrian to the very talented Staxxettes. The album is not short on hooks and the first two tracks are real highlights. But to download the record only is like listening to a football game on AM radio; you'll know the score but miss all of the excitement. Similar to bands like the Black Crowes, the studio work doesn't capture the essence of the band. Stedman is a bit like Jack Black channeling James Brown. Even when the band is off the mark you can forgive them for the effort and theatrics. All who see The Staxx Brothers live will be converts to the church of the new blued eyed soul. And for that they are successful.
WIDGETIZE
Anonymous # 29. January 2009, 12:52
I love this review. It's so damn honest. I'm also looking forward to hearing what you have to say about our next album, We are The Blaxstonz. It will be out by May 8th, but I'll definitely get you an advanced listen if you're into it. I hope we can just live up to the i-pod orgy claim once again.