If you haven't ever heard of Lake Street Dive, that's a shame. On the bright side, their latest album "Side Pony" is a wonderful way for you to start your obsession. Lake Street Dive, a quartet which started in Boston's New England Conservatory of Music, is an unbelievably fun and energetic group that carries a rather unique sound (for today's age), which is comprised of 60s pop, soul, and jazz. To top things off, lead singer Rachael Price's breath-taking voice leaves you with shivers, making Lake Street Dive a band worth the listen.
"Side Pony" is Lake Street Dive's fourth album and is presented as an encore of "Bad Self Portraits," the band's last record. Although this may be true, Lake Street Dive still lives up to its potential. The new album continues to show off the band's whimsical lyrics and captivating sound. Through all the sharing of songwriting duties and having played together for so long, the band is fully aware of their individual and collective strengths. For their new album, it seems they haven't changed things up too much since their last release; however, Rachael Price, who's known for her strong and supple voice, has appeared to step back a bit from her usual commanding nature.
The record's opening tracks feel as though they could easily have been a part of "Bad Self Portraits," but as the album continues on, there's a shift in sound, and "Side Pony" seems to finally take on a life of its own. It's as if mid-album, Lake Street Dive had a revelation. Once you get lost in the flow of the remainder of the album, it's tough not to be entranced by the band's retro vibes. Infectious tunes like "Hell Yeah" and "Can't Stop," which is beyond funky, are definitely highlights of the album. What pulls the album together and leaps out like no other is the title track "Side Pony," which is an ode to the simple hairstyle. The track takes you back to the disco days with the band's signature, charmingly retro touch. This irresistibly toe-tapping groove compliments Price's smooth alto. After hearing it once, this super catchy tune will make it impossible for you to ever see the words "side pony" side-by-side without singing them.
Not until the second or third listen do you realize how incredibly smart and organic this album really is. It does in fact, stand on its own.This Brooklyn-based quartet has consumed all their jazzy and soulful influences and squeezed them into something amazing and unforgettable. "Side Pony" is a confident statement, and it undoubtedly shows that Lake Street Dive is ready to take on the world and make themselves known to whichever audiences have yet to succumb to their many charms.
**Above: For those who've never been exposed to Lake Street Dive's amazing talent, enjoy this cover of "Rich Girl" by Hall & Oates.
