Great Bloomers - Great Bloomers EP Review
Posted by Blake Lauderback on 06.30.2008
Canadian rockers Great Bloomers released their self titled EP to familiarize the world with their music before their full length debut hits. Does the album give us insight to the future of music, or does it leave a bad taste? Check it out.
If you are like me, you are often lost in the big world of music out there today, wondering where to find great new artists without relying what the media is “selling,” a.k.a. shoving down your throat. So, when I was asked to review this five track EP by indie band Great Bloomers, I was excited to see if I was being handed a window into the future of music, or a look at a band that no one would ever hear from again. While I am unfortunately unable to predict the future, I can certainly share my thoughts about their talent and potential.
The band Great Bloomers originated when childhood buddies Lowell Sostomi and Nate Hindle moved to the city of Toronto in some place called “Canada,” where they met and befriended one Mr. Andrew Kekewich. The three guys eventually moved into a house with one another after bonding over their music collection. Each of the three guys had a passion for the same three artists, The Band, Fleetwood Mac, and The Boss… Bruce Springsteen. As tends to happen when you leave three musicians alone together, they began writing music together, and before long they were out in the world sharing what they had created.
Their first gig together was a striking success as the guys received tons of praise and acceptance for their great songwriting, and that night the band decided that they could not survive without that thrill of live performance, so they set out on the open road.
A few months later, the band added a new face in bassist Ty Rowles, who provided a whole new facet to the band’s sound with his funk influences like Sly and the Family Stone. Then, a few more months later, the band completed its lineup by added Shawn Dell, a classically trained piansist and drummer who had a very strong background in jazz as well. By taking the already great songwriting and musicianship of the original lineup and adding elements of funk and jazz, Great Bloomers had created a unique sound all their own.
These days, after signing with Grifter Music, the band is hitting the studio full time as well as the road, as they work on their first full-length album while maintaining their reputation as a solid gigging band.
Track List:
1. Catching Up
2. Black Rising Fire
3. So Cool
4. Tied to the Love
5. Market of the Night
The Album:
The EP kicks of beautifully with some great piano and guitar interplay that immediately pays homage to their heroes on the track “Catching Up.” After roughly two minutes of this jazzy intro, the song kicks into a solid, upbeat rhythm based on a little catchy riffing, but one of the better touched on the track is the heavier lead work back in the background. You have to listen hard to pick it out at times, but I really think that the song would be lacking without it. My only issue with the track is that, after the brilliant dynamic change at about the two-minute mark, the song sort of levels out for the rest of the track. This is a minor quibble, as the song is still quite enjoyable.
Next up is "Black Rising Fire" which starts of with a darker feel than the last, bringing up images of Alice in Chains before throwing me a massive curve ball and into the old west with a little old school country rhythm. It is quite odd, but in a very good way… think Reverend Horton Heat, but a little jazzier. My dynamics issue with the last track most certainly does not apply here as the southern feel quickly turns to a totally different feel once again, this time to a great, syncopated beat that is overlaid with angelic harmonies. The drumming stands out as being brilliant on this track as it bridges the gap seamlessly between the styles.
The aptly named “So Cool” chimes in next. The track is a super laidback rock track with moments that have a bit of a throw back feel to them. Some solid songwriting all around, and the band gives us all just a taste of what they can do when the rock it out a bit. While I admire the restraint they show in their writing, I would love to hear a bit more of what they can do when they come out guns-a-blazing.
Numero quatro is entitled “Tied to the Love,” and showcases the groups aforementioned love for The Band as this folksy tune seems to channel the 60’s greats. Great little groove here as the guys continue to show their range of styles.
We continue to hang out in the 1960’s with the intro to “Market of the Night” before kicking into the heavier sound that I was looking for on “So Cool.” While this track rocks harder than the others, the vocals carry over the mellowness found on all the others, creating what seems to be their signature sound. This was a good track to end this little “taste test” on.
Over all, I thoroughly enjoyed this effort from The Great Bloomers, and I look forward to hearing more from them in the near future. The songwriting is solid and the musicianship is tight. My only beef is a minor one, as I wish they would let loose a bit more, especially with the lead guitar. The little bits and pieces we heard were great, and I would love to hear a bit more jamming from these guys. Then again, that is all personal preference.
The 411: The Great Bloomers have done a great job of whetting the whistle with this solid EP. While I would love to hear a bit more jamming from these guys, as they have shown some potential to do so, I can’t really complain about the sound. This is a quality group of musicians at the start of what will hopefully be a long and successful career. I can’t wait to hear more from them.
