Bradley Copper Kettle And Friends released their Supertaster album last fall. It is still receiving air play and positive feedback. Being a Boston band that represents Americana flavors with modern day muscular instrumentation, Bradley Copper Kettle And Friends possess the pound of rock with yesteryear’s favorites. Alt country, grunge country, funk, and jam all rear their individual heads before being lopped off and tossed into a Copper Kettle stew. Bradly Copper Kettle And Friends is keyboardist Leeroy Sullivan, bass guitarist Andrew Deshharnais, drummer Justin Harradon, guitarist Corey Zwart, and singer-songwriter Brad Swenson. Notable slide guitarist Arthur Terembula shows up too.
A playful, scratchy guitar progression pushes a “Door” open into a cool song. “Door” blends down tempo honky tonk with lyrical humor. Soft notes illuminate this piece about following someone in a truck. Many floppy drum fills playfully capture the rough riding truck as brittle guitar notes tumble forth, making the listener feel that a bunch of fine people are on a fun ride.
Bite size guitar notes, small, shiny piano notes, and a peppy groove keep “Dog” a nifty listen that tugs at one’s ear. The guitar notes eventually expand into sweeter, longer intervals and becomes candy for the ear. A chirpy, amicable lead vocal carries the lyrics with sweet aplomb, inviting, engaging, and involving.
A fuzzy rhythm guitar colors “Change” with a crusty rock and roll edge. That guitar exercises a lot of control, especially when higher notes are pressed out of it. It keeps chugging along to a sturdy chord progression, quick successions that keep tight with a self-restrained rhythm section. This impresses as it rocks right out, especially as the lead guitar practically sings the melody near the end.
Flinty, accented electric guitar notes slowly push “Move Along” forward. The lead vocal widens over that push and this becomes a handsome anthem. One gets deeper into this song as the singer releases small nuggets of lyrics, pauses, then goes on. This gains traction with the listener as the song travels at a comfortable speed. This leaves a lot of wiggle room for that guitar, erupting more passionately near the end while tying the grand theme together with every instrument it triggers.
A feeling of largeness fills “Holding Water,” a wide, expansive number filled with snappy soul in its lead guitar. Soulful vocal sustains are another threat for the ears and the spirit. The listener can feel the band putting this song together one soulful instrument at a time. Shiny lead guitar notes emote something beyond words and a fiber filled groove also expand the freedom while holding the higher registers firmly in place.
A slow boiler, “I Know It’s Late” finds the singer employing a soulful drawl, a voice that keeps climbing higher in expression and range. His constant assertions make one feel what the song is about. A man wants his beloved all to himself in a better location. That emotion is beautifully put across here. Beneath that involving vocal, a lead guitar plays a sweet whisper melody, thickening the emotive grist. There one will surely pull a roomful of attendees onto a dance floor.
“Kitchen Cookin’” features a thick bass line, hefty drum fills, and a tap dancing organ line. A jumpy lead guitar line springboards over that lower bottom, and the lead vocal flips up and down to the groove while dispensing clever lyrics. The plethora of daring and darting instrumental phrases keep this one happening. One can’t help but move one’s whole body to these waves of sound.
“Sugar Magnolia” only uses the traditional song title. It gets the indie original treatment here. A thick crust of acoustic guitar, organ filling, and a bush thick groove fill the space with cool aplomb. It also gives a good platform for a lead guitar line to dart around with charming penetration. Warm, considerately paced vocals add another heaping toss of pleasantness.
“Slow Train” mashes together a pretty lead guitar line, a thick organ chord progression, and an amicable groove. One feels a train motion, chugging along as if the band was patiently waiting to arrive at some kind of punch line as well as a whistle stop. A bright lead vocal conveys more of the contented rider, and the instrumentation adds up to a perfect travel vibe.
A sprightly honky tonk song, “Overalls” feels barroom in its drawling twang lead vocal and in its chirpy piano line. That piano is full of rustic charm as it keeps it notes bright, shiny, and country. The notes fall in a fun, measured pattern, just enough to inspire the lead vocal. The dual singers here make fun of the lifestyle while keeping their full harmony line loaded with humor.
Plucky acoustic guitar chords and a firm, loud vocal fill in a large space on close out track “State I’m In.” The large personality in the voice and in the eventual lead guitar that takes over make a strong impression. Winsome grungy electric guitar and the feisty vocal, bolstered by an emphatic rhythm section, create a unique sound all its own while rocking it with finesse.
Bradley Copper Kettle And Friends are surely onto something of quality and something unique from how other bands mix genres, styles, and instrumentation. Supertaster will likely go over well with music fans of all stripes.
bradleycopperkettleandfriends.com
