STEADY EARNEST
Dr. Earnest's Nerve Steadying Spirits (Beatville)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Steady Earnest are hard to describe. They are a high-energy seven-piece band that turns Donovan's "Sunshine Superman" into a trippy ska tune that floats dreamily from channel to channel, and their original tunes like "Reckon" and "Scrumpy" are up-tempo cuts that transport me to thin-tie two-tone land. This popular Boston band has that crowded-stage feel of the best ska bands with rhythms and energy to burn and it sounds like each of these guys have OD'd on Beantown's drink du jour, Dunkin' Donuts coffee. Maybe that's why "caffeine frenzies" is a "Promises" is the perfect ska antidote to the blues that can bring you down on any day job. Until I heard "Well Alright" done by these guys, I thought it was a crooner's classic, perfect for Buddy Holly. With Steady Earnest writing the prescription, though, it's a hyperkinetic fastforward cut powered by a great sax. Fans of high-energy ska will warm to the good doctor. While you check their website out at http://www.beatville.com, I'm going to find my porkpie hat and thin ties and put on a fun ska record, Dr. Earnest's Nerve Steadying Spirits.

Track List:

Figure It Out, Reckon With You, Sunshine of Your Love, Scrumpy, Promises, Put It On, Higher Power, Good Foot Hop, Well All Right, Swim, Fine Line, Vampires, Preacher

© 2000 - Eric Steiner