As you might expect from a group fronted by three singer/songwriters, the material on
One Foot in the Ether is uniformly strong. The band's principals --
Colin Brooks, Gordy Quist, and Ed Jurdi -- all share writing and publishing credits, and since all three play several instruments, the album boasts a diversity of sounds and styles. The first thing that strikes you is how many of these tunes sound like gospel music. Given the name of the band, it's a real surprise. "Shine a Light" is a mellow, call-and-response number with churchy organ, stinging slide guitar, and an uplifting lyric. "You're Gonna Miss Me" is a blues with a gospel tinge, although the lyric is strictly secular. An odd, stuttering, New Orleans backbeat supplied by drummer John Chipman and rousing group vocals make the track take fire. "Let Your Heart Not Be Troubled" is a love song with a strong hint of gospel and a deep spiritual feeling, a heartfelt expression of sympathy to a friend in need of a helping hand. "Talking Out Loud" is another secular spiritual and sounds like something
the Band might have recorded with a vocal that suggests the style of
Levon Helm. "Golden Calf" is a swampy field holler that references a famous Old Testament image; the music is dark, bluesy and funereal, a blend of
Howlin' Wolf and the
Staple Singers. There's also the folky country groove of "What's This World," the mellow ragtime groove of "Right Here with Me," and the Southern rock of "Somebody Tell the Truth" a slow stomper in the manner of
the Amazing Rhythm Aces. Robust songwriting is the album's biggest plus, but most of the tracks are taken at a midtempo groove that tends to make the tracks blend together when the album is played in one sitting. Sprinkling a couple of flat-out rockers into the mix would help make the set more listenable. And with three singers and multi-instrumentalists in the band, more detailed liner notes about who's playing and singing what would have been nice. ~ j. poet