Posted by: leeway | June 13th, 2012
Track after track, the music Chasing Edison creates is ripe for the jam scene. If someone ever asks what a jamband sounds like, throw in Chasing Edison as a pretty definitive sound.
This review focuses on the entirety of their sound, as their most recent release is an EP, and the three albums will give a broader sampling from which to judge the band. That said, their oldest release is equal to their latest release; they didn’t stagnate, rather they were always pretty tight. So, what are they about?
This crew rocks, with the drum (Justin Babcock) and bass (Jeff Lewis) laying down tight pockets for Alex Giles’ keyboard work and Greg Dalton’s testosterone-packed guitar runs. Dalton’s guitar work may have been born with a heavy dose of bravado, but it’s also capable of sedating itself into the airy and creamy riffs that make a jam-lover’s ears perk up. His licks lack also the repetitiveness of some jam guitarists, and your ears will thank him.
The singing isn’t always top shelf, but most of us come to jambands for their fingers/hands, not their voice boxes. What Grateful Dead/Phish fan hasn’t cringed at a pitchy lyric, from time to time? The vocals are tight enough for loose moments to be forgiven, and the jamming is simply great enough that a shaky word is quickly forgotten through the progression of a crunchy jam.
All three of their releases deserve attention – self titled (EP - 2009), Black Maria (LP – 2010), self titled (EP – 2012). If you’re in the mood for some exploratory rock and roll, grab one of Chasing Edison’s albums and have a listen. You’re going to be surprised by the moments of greatness, and any moments of mediocrity are easily forgiven.
- Jeremy Sanchez
