Smoove & Turrell
I was going to write up an article about Diablo III; but I figure anyone who wanted it has gotten it, or will get it. So instead here’s an band review instead.
Who are Smoove and Turrell? They are Steven Moove and John Turrell. What do they do? Only make some of the best music out there today. Their debut album, Antique Soul, was a callback to the flashy funk of the 70s. With heavy percussion, sassy horns, and slick bass playing, they create an atmosphere that conjures up images of afros and bell-bottoms. But, all that great music would mean little without sick vocals to go along with it. Well they hit that out of the park too. John Turrell’s voice is silky smooth, and fits in right along with the melody. All in all, it was a decent album, more hit than miss; but still had enough great tracks to get me excited for more.
Favorite Tracks: Hammond, I Can’t Give You Up, Don’t Go
Their sophomore release, Eccentric Audio, came out more than a year ago; but I’ve only just gotten my paws on it. I have to say, as good as their debut was, this album at least matches, if not surpasses it. Every track is, at the very least decent, though most are very good to great. The emotions it invokes out of me are something I haven’t gotten from music since Porcupine Tree’s 2007 release, Fear of a Blank Planet. Of course the moods are completely different, as S&T bring happy feelings, rather than contemplative ones. It all starts from the first track, Higher, which is how you begin a goddamn album. If you can listen to it and not start dancing, you are a better man than me, because it gets me so pumped up. The drops in this song give me chills, and when the chorus hits with the choir vocals, it’s simple aural bliss. While the rest of the album doesn’t quite have that much energy, track by track it maintains a solid state of excellent. Even when they slow it down for mellow songs, it’s still fantastic. Easily one of the best albums in the past ten years.
Favorite Tracks: Higher, Let Yourself Go, It’s the Falling in Love
If they keep going the way they are going, I could be sitting here after their next release saying they are one of my favorite bands. If you want to find out more about them, check out their website: http://www.smooveandturrell.com/blog/
