Not So “Sly”!

Back in late November, 2006, while I was still digging on “The Information” by Beck, there was one song that caught my ear.

It was full of all of the things that make these ears happy; ska, jazz, horns, great harmonies and writing. The tune was called “Sly” by a band from Melbourne, Australia, and it was just one of those perfect songs, and you know what they are. The ones that just make you happy and put a smile on your face whenever you hear them.

I picked up “Two Shoes”, laughed myself silly with the songwriting, and was impressed by the musicianship of these Aussies. After all, if you put this CD in, it’s not so hard to get the party started.

Their second major release, “So Many Nights” dropped without much fanfare here in the States back in May, and while it’s good…it’s a little too long.

Many CD’s suffer from “bloating” these days; you’ve got, say, three or five really good cuts, and the rest is filler. “So Many Nights” is fifteen cuts long, and it would be better if it were only twelve or so.

You’re also missing the pure joy from “Two Shoes”, which was recorded in Havana in the same studio the “The Buena Vista Social Club” did many years ago. The Cat Empire used local musicians to punch up the horns, and “Two Shoes” is still a great party album.

“So Many Nights” isn’t bad; it’s just different. It was recorded in California, and you can sense that whole “West Coast” vibe when you listen to the CD.