REVIEW: Agents of Good Roots, One By One (RCA)
- Lang Whitaker
With bands sprouting from the east coast club scene into national prominence as fast as the Gremlins were birthed from that YMCA swimming pool, you kind of take any "east coast club scene" band making their major label debut with a grain of salt. However, it's hard to argue with success. Before even signing with a major label, the Richmond, Virginia-based band Agents of Good Roots had been playing over 200 shows a year up and down - here we go again - the "east coast club scene". They also had recorded two albums that sold well at their shows. Their self-made success attracted interest, and enabled AOGR to release One By One.
They have several things going for them that separate them from the rest of the pack. The most obvious thing is lead singer/guitarist/keyboardist Andrew Winn's sandpaper vocals. After a skiing accident at age 14 crushed Winn's larynx, the doctors connected the dots with whatever was left, and as a result Winn's voice sounds like velcro combined with a case of unfiltered Marlboros. It sounds almost like Winn's voice is going through more special effects than James Cameron, but it's actually his everyday voice - which, to be honest, is kind of frightening.
Another thing that sets AOGR apart is their bare sound. Lacking a traditional lead guitarist, AOGR seem to rely more on the interplay between Stewart Myers' bass and Brian Jones' funky drumming. Also, saxophonist J.C. Kuhl contributes perfunctory leads and fills from time to time. After mining the "east coast club scene", AOGR got their act together, and they sound polished and ready for mainstream success. Their sound is a weird combination of Aerosmith, Stevie Wonder, Bela Fleck, and the Wallflowers. There's also lots of jazz-influenced key signature play, and some pretty sweet instrumental synergy.
There are at least 3 radio-friendly, toe tapping and head nodding singles practically hopping from the jewel case. "Upspin" sounds like a Motown standard from Berry Gordy, replete with Aretha-esque wailing background vocalists. "Two Bucks" allows drummer Jones a chance to take the lead vocal duties, and "Hoping, Waiting, Longing" is similar to "Upspin" with its harmonic simplicity. And that's not even including the first single to catch radio's ear, "Smiling Up The Frown".
One By One has the possibility of being huge, but these songs are much too mature and complex to get lumped into the same Wallflowers bargain bins. Here's hoping music fans recognize it.
