Rustic Overtones - Viva Nueva

It's been awhile, but I refuse to let this CD die! I mean, what about Rustic Overtones isn't cool? I was introduced to the Rustic Overtones through a promotion company that Simple and I used do small jobs for every now and then. Simple got a box of "swag" in the mail one day and we opened it to find a really cool looking CD (with artwork that turned out to be the work of the one and only Shepard Fairey). So we popped that sucker in the CD player and heard some the greatest music we'd heard in a long, long time. I used to be a huge Dave Matthews Band fan, I've seen them 12 or so times (which is nothing compared to other "Dave heads"). Nevertheless, I was a big fan. The first time I heard DMB I realized what was so great about music, it actually helped appreciate a lot of other genres. I began to feel music, instead of just listen to it. For that, I'm a grateful Dave Matthews Band fan, but not as much as I used to be. Well, I realize now that Rustic Overtones affected me the same way. I really have not felt music like this in awhile. Now, don't be confused, Rustic Overtones sound nothing like Dave Matthews Band, they really don't sound like anyone I've ever heard before. From the opening track to the end of the CD, this album has no flaws in my eyes. You got your party tracks: 'C'mon', 'Check', and 'Smoke', you got your nasty funk tracks: 'Sector Z' (featuring David Bowie), 'Love Underground', and 'Crash Landing', you got your straight out "rock your ass" tracks: 'Hit Man' and 'Combustible', and even the ballad 'Baby Blue'. Basically, you got everything you ever needed in a band in one, neat package. With the impeccable horns of Jason Ward and Ryan Zoidis, the incredible drumming of Tony McNaboe, Jon Roods funkin' that bass like it ain't got no mama, Spencer Albee dropping in a little color and flavor on the keyboards, and Dave Gutter rounding it all with earnest, creative lyrics and a warm, mature voice, how could you go wrong? I could go on and on about this album, but I think I've said enough (you know how I feel). Please, please, please go buy this album if you do not have it; and go see this band if they're playing your town. There's no other score I can give this album but 5.0 manstyle points. In my opinion, there's nothing about this album that needs to be changed. This band has been around for a while and already has 3 full albums out, which all have their charm. However, keep your eye out for Rustic Overtones in the future, it's nice to see a band get better with age, not fizzle out and lose their edge after the first album. [www.rusticovertones.com]