♪{Musac BlogRevue} East Coast Dirt Debut CD: A Dirty Blend of Brilliant Complexity ♪

(Check out the preface to this post, "The Dirt on East Coast Dirt")

Last January I was asked by a friend at Suprema Lex Music to check out the Asheville-based band, East Coast Dirt, at the Preservation Pub. I walked in half-expecting a slightly amateurish group frantically struggling to keep things in tune; however, that was not the case at all. No, I was surprisingly hit by a wall of funky, improv-driven sounds, or as they coin it, “sneaker boogaloo”.

Now I get the awesome chance to review East Coast Dirt’s debut CD. Unfortunately, I have to narrow it down to a couple of my favorite songs, which is hard to do with an album chockfull of audible splendors. The whole album is an infusion of chaotic elements of jazz, percussion, electric guitar, and keys that all coexist in perfect harmony.

The first track I listened to was no doubt destined for me to stumble upon. Perhaps it is the title of the song, “10-15 on Mole Mountain”, that stirs up my imagination, but I can’t help but envision deep, heavy guitar riffs theming a journeyed car ride along a mountainside. It’s as if an electric guitar consummated with Latin rhythms and birthed the taunting melodies of this song. (That may have been a tad bit unrefined, sorry.....) 

.... Let’s just say that I can’t seem to get this one out of my head since I first heard it!

The next track to strike my immediate fancy, “The Dog that Bit Me”, is a monstrous product of tunes ranging from all sides of the music spectrum. If I could describe the elements of this song in one long, run-on sentence it would be intense dub/reggae beats meets Electric Light Orchestra blended with sporadic bursts of Rusted Root-inspired percussions and invigorating jam band-y vocals that are all interwoven into one little package. Needless to say, it's like eating candy because it's so sweeeett!

(Did I insert enough adjectives in there?) 

I can assure you that East Coast Dirt doesn't hold anything back on this one as they shove a collection of genres straight into your eardrum. However, as frenzied as it sounds, the album intelligently merges arrangements of melodies and grooves in a very thoughtful way.

I could probably analyze and dissect every song on this entire CD, but that would ruin the surprise you’re in store for. (Or your attention span might start to shift to that of a two-year-old.) So purchase a copy at one of their shows near you and find out for yourself. I must forewarn you though; be prepared for an eargasm of jazzy-funk and psychedelic-rock layers that are utlimately going to rock yo' socks off.


Click on the player below for a little East Coast Dirt teaser...