Rumblecat’s debut CD ‘Till The Neighbors Shout is loaded with hard driving, goodtime, soulful music. Delivered with talent and explosive energy, this disc shows why Vermont-based Rumblecat won a New England Music Award for Best In State: Vermont only three years after forming. The group has got their roots rock sound down pat and they know how to spread it around a song with cool vigor.
Opening track “I Started A Fire” blazes a trail for the next seven tracks with its brisk guitars and simmering organ work. Lead vocalist Collin Cope belts with a southern rock feeling that invokes memories of The Black Crowes and Lynyrd Skynyrd even though this band is rooted in beautiful Vermont. This tune rocks right out with a wide, expansive sound and a party vibe that can’t be beat. When Cope blows his harmonica notes, it sounds like a locomotive melodic force coming down the rails. There is also no escaping the high powered guitar phrase that Kyle Rosenblad unleashes near the end; its flame growing higher and hotter as he plows through the sonic landscape.
“Thunderstone” jumps right in with its infectious, swaggering groove, thanks to a rhythm section that knows how to bop it with supreme coolness. The tune also sports a chorus that, with spiritually imbued female vocalist Samira Simmons in the midst, feels as full and moving as a sweet choir. Throw in a might organ that announces itself with fierce glory and we have a song that pushes everything out of its way.
“Wishing Well” goes easy with a mellow groove supporting its smooth organ glide and a catchy male-female chorus that expands the song from its rich, rootsie depth.
“Stop That Train” takes a turn toward more flinty guitar, bulbous bass notes, and a cool sonic landscape that feels wide, full, and loaded with spirited ebullience. A throaty harmonica line zigs and zags with a tasteful self-restraint while making this the listener picture a face off, an impending action scene. Ample offerings of organ boogie keep the party in motion while a lead guitar phrase dances on a cloud and pulls the listener in closer to the energy source of this tune.
“Lovely Daze” grabs hold of the listener with its amicable, sweet, never ending melodic guitar treat. Lofty vocals, above a tuft of guitar and amidst harmonica gruel and organ lifts, are as warm as a choir and as engaging as an intimate conversation with a dear old friend.
Soulful and rocking, “Fishin’” makes its own cool statement. Rhythmic organ and an incisive guitar phrase set things alight. There’s also a pushy, smacking groove that makes this song move like a muscular snake, swaggering this way and that, going in whichever direction it chooses because there’s nothing that can stand in its way. Cope’s lilting harmonica brings in even more sparks when it erupts in its special moments.
“Lonesome Soul” lulls one in with Cope’s tender harmonica line. From there, it’s a down tempo sleeper, seemingly mellow while becoming a more gripping number with an expansive, soulful chorus, a rich organ glide, and a guitar line with a personality all its own, to the point where you feel the six string is whistling to you.
Rumblecat close out this album with “Share The Day,” a mid tempo rocker with a sweet, whistling harmonica line that shines like the sun on a cloudless day and a guitar that blisters with spiraling glory. Again, the chorus is catchy in a wide, expansive, and soulful manner, something that invites all into the over the top roots rock sound this combo offers.
Rumblecat has done quite well for themselves with this exceptional debut CD. It’s no wonder why they are already an award winning band with a bright future in the New England music scene and beyond.
http://www.rumblecatmusic.com/
