Promises, Promises
© Copyright-Lake Street Dive
(707541033190)
Record Label: fyo records
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Lake Street Dive derives inexhaustible energy from the joy of invention and creation. Their exuberant live shows and carefully crafted studio albums share a blissful irreverence for convention and an undying devotion to melody, spontaneity, and groove.
The four friends first met and began playing together as students in the jazz studies department at Boston’s New England Conservatory. Their first attempt at collaboration was to form a “free country band” that performed original country and western songs in an avant-garde style. This was a terrible idea. When they came to their senses, they discovered that their shared passion for the mo-town and British invasion bands of the 60s and 70s could be used as a jumping off point for a much more palatable sound. The new, improved Lake Street Dive quickly became a popular fixture on the Boston music scene.
In 2006, Lake Street Dive entered the national arena when bassist Bridget Kearney’s “Sometimes When I’m Drunk and You’re Wearing My Favorite Shirt” won a Grand Prize and Lennon Award in The John Lennon Songwriting Contest. The prize resulted in increased exposure for the band, a Midwestern tour and the creation of their first studio album, “In This Episode...”
Since then, Lake Street Dive has continued to evolve and expand, performing in some of the East Coast’s and Midwest’s finest venues and festivals, adding shakers, tambourines, and lush background vocals to their sound and sweater vests to their wardrobe. Their sophomore album, “Promises, Promises” was released in July 2008 on indie-label FYO Records.
The new album, “Promises, Promises” is a step forward for the band, as they explore more advanced arranging and production elements, and showcase their continued growth as writers and collaborators. FYO’s Christopher McDonald was the phantom fifth band member on this album, adding his talents on piano, Rhodes, and Hammond B-3 as well as acting as producer and studio engineer. Alec Spiegleman (of Cuddle Magic and Miss Tess) also makes several guest appearances on tenor saxophone, bari saxophone, clarinet and bass clarinet.
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Wow!
author: Armando
I loved Lake Street Dive's first album - I practically wore it out, but "Promises, Promises" is by far the best album I listened to in 2008. Much is said about Rachael Price's knock-out voice (all true), but listen closely - each of these musicians is top notch. Mike Olson plays trumpet with a Billie Holiday sensibility, which is refreshing after listening to every other trumpet player sounding just the same - higher, faster & louder. He isn't playing trumpet, he is singing duets with Rachael. Bridget Kearney is simply the sweetest acoustic bass player playing pop, period. Her tone will melt you. And what can I say about drummer Mike Calabrese other than listen. He drives this superb group with taste, not with over done thumping & over-accentuated kick drum. If you buy one CD this year - this should be it!
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author: Chrisr at CD Baby
UK-based soul-revivalists like Adele and Amy Winehouse have earned fans worldwide by superimposing the Stax sound on top of more modern, streamlined pop grooves. Well we finally have a homegrown American act that will give those lovely-voiced ladies across the pond a run for their money. Boston’s Lake Street Dive has made a name for themselves (and won a John Lennon Songwriting Contest award along the way) with their joyous blend of horn-driven Southern Soul, rugged jazz, twee-pop, and funky folk. Singer Rachael Price’s versatile voice can effortlessly shift from the Adele/Winehouse-school of softened snarl to the sultriness of Norah Jones to the glottal-stop punch of Jolie Holland to the airy sweetness of Joni Mitchell. ‘Promises, Promises’ is an album that delivers.
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The Best Album Since Their Last One.
author: Tilsby Ankles
After their charming and effortless debut "In This Episode," the worthiest compliment I can conjure for Lake Street Dive's sophomore album is this: "Promises, Promises" is worlds better. The songwriting quality is encouragingly trending upward--with "Hell to Pay," "Love to Food," and "As Much As I Do" leading the pack--but perhaps the most significant improvement here is one of band cohesion. These tracks, mixed with an almost bare naked sensibility, showcase a team of masterful musicians who are keenly attuned to one another's instincts and whimsy. The product of such sober and lighthearted teamwork is a profoundly organic pop band that must be heard to be believed. Naturally, once you've heard it, the record won't soon leave your stereo.
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