Jeff Przech & The Outfit’s eponymous CD is chockfull of Americana roots rock charm. The Outfit is a band Przech put together just to make this album of driving, flavorful, and tasteful rock and roll. While Przech and his songwriting and vocals remain the focal point, his well selected backing band help him carry these fine tunes to great heights.
Opening track “Maribelle” is a bristling Americana rock fest. Flinty lead guitar lines spiral upwards in lofty ways as Przech’s neo hippie gruffness at the microphone makes one feel at home. He unfurls his reflections at a considerate pace, making this ode to a woman feel large and respectful. Rocking his way forward with a lot going on sets the stage for what follows on this very solid recording.
“Cold November” pushes its way forward with rippling lead guitar action and a forceful groove. Przech’s sandpapery lead vocal carries beautifully and perfectly over his gritty support. A lofty, heartfelt chorus widens the song into something even cooler. Perky lead guitar notes follow Przech’s voice like ripples from a skimming stone, a punchy, snappy sound before an earthy instrumental break.
“Under Your Skin” continues the fine grits and griddle substance of the first two numbers. Here, though, Przech croons in a more mellow vibe, letting his handsome rasp roll over a carpet of plucky musicianship. A mid-tempo pace lets this one unfurl with a breezy assurance that makes the song likable and winsome. It gets under your skin with every note.
Down tempo, “Coy” shows the finer side of Przech’s vocal abilities, his style of conveying a lot of feeling without any bombast. He projects well his sandpapery pipes alongside a simmering organ, played by Glen Nelson and above a soulful groove laid down by drummer Evan “Slim“ Kalish and bass player Joe O’ Brien. When Przech is joined on the chorus by Julia Autumn Ford, the two rise even higher in power, as does the band behind them. Lead guitarist Dennis Fancher presents a melodic line that cuts its own path with rustic overtones, something that feels down home and out on the range.
Przech and his band mates return to their assertive grit on “Be Gone.” Przech coasts over a country flavored soundscape with a voice that takes its time hitting many fine moments in his vocal line. This considerate pace spread his charm far and wide, a song that sprawls with an amicable vibe. His chorus reaches a musical and dramatic climax that makes it all suddenly leap up in dynamics, grabbing the ear with something he needs to get off his chest, and he does it with a tuft of fiber.
“Second Favorite Memory” chugs with a pushy momentum in the groove. Przech croons over all with a husky vocal that envelopes his lyrics in something special. A Dennis Fancher lead guitar line pours forth with a fountain of sparkling notes, a melodic phrase that the listener wishes would play even longer.
“Four Letter Words” breezes by with a wide acoustic guitar strum. Przech takes it slow, dealing out his vocal notes like a perfect foil to Dennis Fancher’s lead guitar skips. Many sweet notes appear with tender applications and combined with Przech’s sensitive vocalizing, the song comes together like a perfect confection, straight out of the oven.
Going acoustic mellow for “The Willows,” Przech spreads his handsome husky croon over sensitive electric guitar notes. This one reaches for the heart and hits the bull’s eye. A lap steel melody wanders pleasantly in the backdrop, giving another sweet contrast to Przech’s emotive delivery. Perfect.
“Checking In” takes us back into Przech’s more sweeping approach. His large vocal presence finds itself amidst plenty of electric guitar gruel and a peppy groove. He rolls out his lyrical vision with a steady looseness, and it compels one to follow along as much as the electric guitar snazzing things up beneath him.
Przech and his merry men close out with a cover of The Band classic, “The Weight.” It’s a pretty faithful recreation of a song known to almost everyone. Here, these local players build the right motions that make this song feel like it is taking us somewhere both musically and lyrically. A lead guitar phrase cuts forward with a sharpness while feeling full of the song’s spirited nature.
Przech has much to be proud of here. Using a crack support team, he’s created a heartfelt listening experience while offering many nuggets of fine musicianship with notes that are, in equal measures, tasteful and skillful. Recorded at On Deck Sound Studio in Northfield, Connecticut with Tracy Walton turning the knobs, Przech’s disc will likely be well received by his New England fan base.
