The Quick & Easy Boys - Red Light Rabbit Review

Posted by Aaron Mayagoitia on 06.08.2010

Oregon trio’s soulful party-ready mix of rock, funk and country is musical bliss.



Fresh is good

Not every day do you find out about a band as fresh as the Quick & Easy Boys, and by fresh I don’t mean groundbreaking, I mean honest and confident. Red Light Rabbit is a mixture of rock, funk, country, soul and danceable beats that doesn’t sound like it was put together in a hipster laboratory for the sake of being ironic, it sounds like the band genuinely digs these styles of music and decided to have fun with them – and, if anything, Red Light Rabbit is a very fun album to listen to. The album has very impressive instrumental performances that never come across as pedant wanking, but more like loose jamming to make the beat last so you can hit the dance floor and bust some moves. Vocally, the Boys handle a variety of styles that at all times sound natural to them. These values, plus uncomplicated lyrics about salacious women, give way to an album that’s perfect for euphoric weekends of nocturnal mischief.

Hardened by the road

The Quick & Easy Boys are Jimmy Russell (guitar & vocals), Sean Badders (bass & vocals) and Michael Goetz (drums & vocals). Since their coming together in 2005 the Eugene, Oregon band has gained a loyal fan base by delivering electrifying live performances in venues in the Portland area. 2009 was the year the Boys toured the States for the first time in support of their debut album Bad Decisions with Good People which came out a year before. And now, with the release of their sophomore album, the Boys are ready to hit the road once again. The rigor of the live scenario has given the band a cohesion that can be heard on Red Light Rabbit; whether the band is tackling the blitz of “Foster, I…”, the heehaw of “Breakin’ Love”, or the funk of “Señorita”, you can tell the guys already have a psychic communication going on that keeps the numbers tight.

Then play on

As a trio, the Quick & Easy Boys need to be busy players to keep all the empty spaces in check, which is something they do with gusto on Red Light Rabbit. Guitarist Jimmy Russell’s style is playful, funky and fluent, infused with vintage twang and occasional wah spice. Sean Badders carries the workload of singer-bassist; his bass lines are melodic and nimble and identifiable within the mix; his voice is soulful and exhilarating, even with a bluesy edge during “Daggers”, the album’s only blues piece. Drummer Michael Goetz supplies a steady beat that is adorned by shrewd flicks of the high-hat and cymbals. However, the band’s instrumental skills are always kept in check by the utmost priority to make music that’s fun and that could start a party, so there are no songs that last too long because suddenly someone wanted to play a twenty-minute jazz odyssey.

The good, the bad and the highlights:

The good is that Red Light Rabbit is a very fun album to listen to thanks to its variety and fusion of styles that are played with skill, restraint and outrageous attitude. The album’s wide spread of styles will make it appealing to a large group of people; fans of rock, funk, country, ska, blues, soul and even disco will find something to like about Red Light Rabbit.

The bad is that, lyrically, the album could have used more diversity. It’s a shame that such a colorful album got stuck with the same topics about nutty women and their ungrateful, unfaithful ways when such exciting music could’ve gone to higher places with the inclusion of more extravagant topics and situations.

The highlights are:

Foster, I…: album opener and a hyperactive ska workout that will get you off your ass and on the dance floor.

Take Your Medicine: a funky number with soulful vocals and infectious guitar work.

Black Panther: leaning more towards straight rock territory, this track invites you to sing along and tap your feat.

7 Ways: as close as the band gets to disco on the album. Russell’s extended soloing and Badders’ busy bass lines make this track a scorcher.

Señorita: a slow funk that bears the lyrical nugget “…you’ve got me spinning so high; I don’t want to come down. Your body makes a symphony without making a sound”.

Funky pharmaceuticals

Here is the official video for “Take Your Medicine”:

Yeah bud!

For a year like 2010 that has been unable to offer thrilling music constantly so far, Red Light Rabbit is a ray of hope. The Quick & Easy Boys’ sophomore effort is a highly recommendable album to a broad range of tastes. The Oregon band has a knack for writing music that is fun, danceable, rocking, funky, countrified, soulful and exciting. All of the members of the band are stellar players – though not overindulgent – and that makes up for their rather unimpressive lyrical qualities. It is promising to think that this is only album #2 for the Boys because they have an attitude and approach that’s all their own that can surely yield more surprises further on up the road. By all means, seek this one out and play it loud. Your neighbors will appreciate it!

The 411: If you consider you have an eclectic taste in music, then give the Quick & Easy Boys’ Red Light Rabbit a try. If you consider you have a set taste in music, then give the album a try as well; the band blends a wide array of genres so seamlessly you may even end up liking sounds you didn’t like before. Fun, exciting and authentic, Red Light Rabbit is one of this year’s highlights you don’t want to pass by.

Final Score:  9.0   [  Amazing ]