Lake Street Dive is a quartet that started in Boston in 2004 while the members where attending the New England Conservatory of Music. The group has a sound that, though based in an indie rock emphasis, infuses: classic jazz, soul, and swing music from the pre-rock era of music. The band’s sound has a hip indie-soul sensibility that is unique and rich in feeling. Lake Street Dive (LSD) has a new album out, Free Yourself Up. The two girl and two guy band perform ten tracks that are outstanding, with each member of the band creating a sound that is cohesive and, creates a passionate, energetic, and seamless collaboration among the members that makes Free Yourself Up a memorable experience. The band’s members are: Rachael Price (lead vocals), Mike “McDuck” Olson (trumpet, guitar), Bridget Kearney (upright bass), and Mike Calabrese (drums). Keyboardist Akie Bermiss joined the band on tour in 2017 and is on the album. Recorded in Nashville with engineer Dan Knobler, the band sounds great. Brilliant harmonies and clever songwriting is throughout the album. Funky, innovative genuine toe-tapping stuff that finds the band in top form and Price’s singing is outstanding. That’s the short of it!
Positives:
Positive music with a groove that is about empowering yourself, emboldening your personal power, all delivered with great musicianship and singing.
Bottom Line:
Lake Street Dive is back to top form on this excellent record, Free Yourself Up is not over produced and the band is focusing on grooves that feel good, very good in fact! The songwriting is strong, and the melodies are notable. Price’s vocal style is simply amazing and full of soul. A beautiful mix of styles and sound colors, Free Yourself Up has the heart of indie rock with the soul of RnB and jazz, don’t miss this one folks!