Vaudeville

Vaudeville is such a fantastic and dynamic band that I feel compelled to do an album by album breakdown.

This is Vaudeville’s most diverse album and a truly fantastic piece of work.  At every turn of every track, there’s no being let down on this one.  I could possibly describe the album as smart pop, and though, while this aspect is apparent throughout the album, it would certainly fall short of crediting the fierce talent that is bursting forth like the sun beams on the album cover.

Vaudeville brings us catchy, yet complex rock tunes.  Their musicianship is top notch, with rhythmic transitions, progressive breakdowns, emotive instrumentals, periodic reggae and dub tangents, and even some lively funk.  Aside from keeping the bottom powerful and shifting many of the gears, Jacob also blows in some colorful brass when the moment’s right. Daniel’s solo on ‘My Worried Mind’ demonstrates the kind of lead guitar prowess he can conjure while he’s not too busy singing.  And Sean is simply one of best, most engaging drummers to ever transform a drum kit from a lifeless assembly into a vibrant tapestry of beating precision.

The song writing on this album, as with all of Vaudeville, is relatable and smart.  ’I Get Up’ and ‘My Worried Mind’ are two stand out songs, and crowd favorites; though, every song by these guys has something to say and is well penned.  I can’t say enough about this album, you just have to listen to it, again and again.

~Dirty Jeff

The Crystal Lake Single is sort of an extension of the first album, and was released as a beautiful red vinyl edition.

This is f***ing awesome!  Vaudeville conceived the brilliant idea of composing an adaptation of Gustav Holst’s The Planets.  They totally pulled it off and did an unreal job!  Each planet has it’s own distinctive character and story, conveyed on a purely instrumental scale of course.  In return, each planet’s character is conducive to facilitating Vaudeville’s diverse musicianship.  Some planets rock, others are mysterious, while some tend to be more serene, maybe serenading their moons, and others (Jupiter) are fierce, funky forces to be reckoned with.

~Dirty Jeff

This is Vaudeville’s L.A. Woman.  What I mean is that this is their crowning jewel of maturity, as well as what could have/would have been.  Yes, unfortunately Vaudeville would not survive beyond this project, suffering a necessity to bow out gracefully upon it’s completion (for now).  To me, there is an underlying, tangible air throughout this album which implies finality.  It gives me the impression that they embraced a slight repose, mused over a cocktail, and then effortlessly eased back in with a resolved sense of expression; the fruits of which, in my opinion, manifest as their masterpiece: Devil’s Knocking.  They maintain their diversity, but deliver it with a bit less extremity in place of a greater cohesion.  The music is very clean, and the vocals more mature, with fluid harmonies.  Sadly, the only thing one could say that Vaudeville fails to deliver is a next great album.

~Dirty Jeff