Julie Lamb Outfit, hailing from Wellington, New Zealand, is Julie Lamb (vocals/songwriting) plus eight others. Lamb describes their latest album, How Humans Think, as “a combination of French Quarter walks and funky downtown grooves.” Drenched in horns, tasty bass work and clever lyrics, How Humans Think is that, and more: as the group says, it’s “kick-arse funky pop originals.”
OK, Julie Lamb Outfit, kick my arse, and start with “Born with the Blues.” It’s a mid-tempo, pop number, which features very cool tones under the verses--something like an electric sitar or an effects-pedaled banjo. Pianist Shan Jordan lays down a lovely piano solo here, featuring some surprise changes. (We get another, equally lovely piano solo a little later on “This Time I Won.”) The track is a fine start, though not a kick in the rear in the traditional sense. The arse-kicking begins in earnest on “ThunderFace,” up next. It’s a danceable, in-the-pocket track with some terrific bass work from Chris Fursdon. As the chorus comes up, so do the horns; the band lets it rip a bit on the way out. Now we’re talking! We interrupt this review for a brief note about the album art. It’s spectacular. Each track gets its own “illustration and lyric flip card” (which is pretty much what it says it is). CD buyers get a gatefold cover with popup art. This creativity harkens back to the glory days of album packaging, where the lucky buyer received visual as well as aural treats. Album art is a medium that’s far less important in this digital age, and I’m so glad to see Julie Lamb Outfit carrying on the tradition. Now, back to the music. “Leftovers” is a beautiful, sparse ballad with Lamb’s yearning vocals over a chorused guitar. The atmospheric keyboards are a nice touch; the lyrics are a clever examination of an old relationship. The other ballad “This Time I Won” is piano-driven, and just as good. Julie Lamb Outfit kicks out the funky, bass-driven jams on “Busy is the New Black” and “Volume Control.” The horns are cranking, especially on the outro of “Volume Control.” Bootsy himself would have been proud of Fursdon’s solo on “Busy” and tone on “Volume.” I loved the synth solo on “Volume,” too. Finally, “Hair Power” is a fun breakup song that could be used on Dancing With The Stars. The band works through a number of different feels (including tango and bebop) that will keep you on your toes. It’s impressive how smoothly they’re able to transition among the sections. How Humans Think captures a group at the top of their game. There’s something for everyone to enjoy here--pop, funk, Broadway and sensitive ballads, all wrapped in beautiful album art. Nice work, gang!
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