Album:
Clava (Deluxe Edition)
Size: 127,1 MB
Time: 54:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Blues Rock, Classic Rock
Art: Front
01. Remember The Taker (6:10)
02. Vanishing Girl (4:12)
03. Come On Down (5:02)
04. Love Never Ends (3:40)
05. Bury My Burden Deep (4:04)
06. High And Humble (4:42)
07. Won't Be Long For Now (5:35)
08. Out On Love (3:08)
09. Off The Rails (3:52)
10. Meet Me In The Aftermath (3:49)
11. Memo From Turner (4:00)
12. Wake Up And Walk Away (6:05)
If you consider yourself an aficionado of roots based rock then Chicago based trio “The Steepwater Band” should definitely be on your radar. With the release of their newest offering “Clava”, the band is a virtual one-stop shop for all things blues, psychedelic and American guitar based hard and country rock.
Make no mistake though as this is not some out-dated stoner album, there are enough riffs, hooks and steady up tempos to keep you singing along, tapping your foot and bobbing your head while delivered with contemporary sensibilities.
Vocalist/guitarist Jeff Massey is a powerhouse axe-slinger, pounding out heavy-duty chords, super-charged leads and slide solos so dirty that you can practically see the grease flowing from your speakers. Vocally he easily shifts from soulful and sweet to gritty and hard without compromise.
The rhythm section of bassist Tod Bowers and drummer Joe Winters function like a well-oiled machine, filling out the sonorousness with substance over flash. Each member of the band is an integral part of the Steepwater sonic sphere.
No matter the mood “Clava” has something for you. Whether it’s chilling back, eyes closed and body swaying (“Remember The Taker”; “Won’t Be Long For Now”), rocking some southern-fried boogie (“Come On Down”; “Out On Love”) or kicking hard rock (“Vanishing Girl”; “High And Humble”) there isn’t a cut on this album that won’t get a reaction from you.
“The Steepwater Band” has without question hit a home run with “Clava” and without a doubt will be in heavy rotation on your mp3 or CD player.
Clava (Deluxe Edition)
Album:
Live & Humble
Size: 175,0 MB
Time: 75:34
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Blues Rock, Classic Rock
Art: Front
01. Remember The Taker ( 7:46)
02. Off The Rails ( 4:35)
03. At The Fall Of The Day ( 4:25)
04. Come On Down ( 6:29)
05. Dance Me A Number ( 4:27)
06. High And Humble ( 6:05)
07. Meet Me In The Aftermath ( 3:51)
08. Boom Boom - How Many More Times (16:45)
09. My Back Pocket ( 3:05)
10. All The Way To Nowhere ( 7:35)
11. World Keeps Moving On (10:27)
The Steepwater Band’s latest live album Live and Humble was recorded at the Ace Bar in Chicago, IL. Live and Humble is set to release on December 3 and is presented with a release party at the historic Double Door Theater in Chicago, IL. The Steepwater Band has been active for nearly a decade and currently consists of Jeff Massey (guitar and vocals), Tod Bowers (bass guitar), Joe Winters (drums), and Eric Saylors (guitar and backing vocals).
The album starts off pleasantly dirty and heavy with “Remember the Taker.” The song really highlights how polished the band can be while still staying true to their roots. Massey’s voice sounds especially smoky and rich throughout “Off the Rails.” Thanks to the crowd’s cheers and applause throughout the album, the energy is very high and the good vibes flow throughout the whole album.
Even though the band is based in Chicago, they have a welcoming southern feel. Even the banter between songs has a slight hint of southern twang. In “Come on Down” the rock vibe and guitar is in full force. “Dance Me a Number” is aptly named. One of the heaviest songs on Live and Humble, it is hard to stay in just one place throughout the song. Vocals and guitar are equal in power on this track, balancing each other extremely well. The chorus of “Sing me a song, and dance me a number to your feet” is catchy and bodes well for an in-show sing-along from the crowd. The track “High and Humble” sounded like a crowd favorite. It is also source of inspiration for the album title Live and Humble.
This album also features a well done cover of “Boom Boom.” The cover is a great nod to The Steepwater Band’s roots. The song spans nearly 17 minutes and gives the band a chance to really let loose and jam out. One of my favorite aspects of this live album is how genuinely thankful The Steepwater Band seems to be in regards to their fans coming to the show. You can always respect a band that keeps grounded throughout their career.
“All the Way to Nowhere” is another strong track off of Live and Humble. The song is guitar heavy but balanced nicely by percussion highlights sprinkled in at the right moments. The album is wrapped up with the song “World Keeps Moving On.” This song is a well thought out ending to the album. The song is smooth and flows well. This song also gives the drums a little spotlight at the end to draw the song to a close.
Live and Humble is a well done live album. The Steepwater Band knows how to work the crowd at the right times and they can work a song to fit the live setting effortlessly. Being veterans to the scene works in their favor for this album. Live and Humble is certainly well done live and the band is still humble. The Review: 8/10 ~Review by Alysha Rendflesh
Live & Humble