Album Review

Decibel –

• 21st Mar 2008

Noo Yawker Josh Weinstein AKA Decibel offers up something a little different from your (superb) Jeff/Jack Lewis’, Adam Greens and their quirky yet deadpan anti-folk style. Perhaps the genre dictates the playing style, but is it a giant leap from abluestic rock (as I’d call) acoustic blues rock music to anti-folk? Granted, it might be, but NYC sure doesn’t normally spawn this kinda emotive, less attitude driven creature… right?

Somewhere between Labi Siffre and Gomez is where an intriguing ethereal intro takes us, before the less whimsical mix of lyrics and accomplished guitar work follow. Do they distract us enough to ignore the regrettably off-putting vocal that’s perhaps a little too similar to being a poor mans Anthony Kiedis intermittently channeling Jeff Buckley?

Yes, without any question and you can be sure that after a few listens, the vocal delivery actually increase in the sense making odds! So, if you can get past his seemingly pretentious and undeniably peculiar delivery, you should find nothing but praise for Decibel. 4am Autobus Blues #2 is the highlight of this 3 track EPK, possessing a higher sense of urgency and direction than it’s perhaps prone to amble preceding counterparts.

The real paradoxical oddity that fingers away at my intrigue is the fact that after you succumb to its charms and their demands for a replay, it’s not too long before its charms turn on you and leave you wanting something less…less…less perplexingly haunting, there I said it!