The fourth album has cometh. This was the name of The Quick & Easy Boys Kickstarter campaign that began early last spring, and after a long wait, the CD release show at the Wonder Ballroom is only a few days away.
The band raised a good amount of money to put out an album with the help of the finest talent this city has to offer. They recorded with producer Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) at the private studio of Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse. And once again, Portland’s finest party makers have delivered a fine-tuned album with their signature funky blues style and progressive rock rhythms.
This album is quite a bit different than the first three, clearly because of the work and influence Steve Berlin put into it. I wouldn’t call it a new direction, rather an expansion on something they’ve been doing for many years. It’s not the raw DIY project they’ve been accustomed to. Follow Us Overboard contains more instruments and a lot more layers, which is appropriate because their live show sounds as if there are more than three people on stage.
The Quick & Easy Boys are known for hard hitting blues based rock and this album does just that – even though it starts off slow with “Breath.” Guitarist Jimmy Russell takes a slower approach to his blues twang on this song, but by the time the album reaches the third song “Die” you can hear his telecaster damn near blowing his amplifier to pieces with the opening riff. One thing that stands out is the voice of lead vocalist (and bassist) Sean Badders. He has one of the most dynamic rock voices in Portland and is given justice by the clarity of the production work on this album.
Towards the end of the album, we are blessed with the song “Rave Bird” which is the perfect mix of their elements and new found production. It’s a funky beat with bold echoes and phasing effects behind a piercing guitar solo that ends up sounding like something off of Led Zeppelin’s BBC tapes.
The Boys have been touring relentlessly for the past five years. Now with new drummer, Casey Anderson, they plan on continuing that trend and reaching new heights. After all they’ve always had the excellent musicianship and an ability to put on a breathtaking live show, and now they have the album to back that up.
The Quick and Easy Boys will release Follow Us Overboard this Saturday October 4th at The Wonder Ballroom with the accompaniment of blues rock extraordinaire, Tango Alpha Tango, and the folk harmonies of The Hill Dogs. Tickets are $12 and the doors open at 8. Get there early because beer lines will be long. Stream three tracks from Follow Us Overboard below.
– Words by Colin Hudson, Photo by Liz Devine