cbdb - Joyfunk is Dead

cbdb

Joyfunk is Dead
self-released; 2015

3.6 out of 5

 By Ted Rogen

The second release from CBDB entitled Joyfunk Is Dead is a pretty solid album but I kept thinking to myself that these guys probably sound about three times better live. It is just the kind of music that has a festive energy that when introduced into a live setting is contagious. The whole band is very talented at their respective instruments but I really thought the lead singer was something special.

The band comprised of Cy Simonton (guitar & vocals), Kris Gottlieb (guitar & vocals), Glenn Dillard (sax/keys & vocals), Donald Deloach (percussion), Paul Oliver (drums) and David Ray (bass & vocals) are consistently in sync and in the pocket. 

The album was recorded in a professional studio but I have to admit I thought there were some minor issues. The guitars at times needed more mid-range definition and I felt the thud of the bass drum was masked by the frequencies of the bass. That being said, the vocals sounded great and so did pretty much everything else.

Joyfunk Is Dead opens up with a festive, fast song entitled “Stuffed Avocados.” The song could pass for an above average jam band song if it wasn’t for the vocal performance. It really separates it from a lot of other bands that play a similar type of music. I especially loved the inventive change they implement about three minutes in. The song builds to a boiling point and explodes.

The sax on “Autocorrect” was absolutely necessary. The band has a funky Jamiroquai vibe going on here that I’m sure people get down with at their live shows. The band continues to impress with technically difficult time signatures on “Pschabango” while “My Time” is arguably the catchiest song on the album. “My Time” also has some snare and guitar work you will not want to miss. 

CBDB has a great, fun sound that only cynical hipsters would dismiss. This music makes you feel good even if you’re in a somber mood. You can’t ask for much more than that.

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