After 11 years and five albums,
Viva Voce
called it quits in 2009, but the husband-and-wife team of
Kevin
and
Anita Robinson
didn't stay idle for long -- they gave up working as a duo to form
Blue Giant
, a sort of Pacific Northwest supergroup in which the two singers and instrumentalists joined forces with
Chris Funk
of
the Decemberists
on pedal steel and banjo,
Seth Lorinczi
the Golden Bears
on bass and keyboards, and
Evan Railton
the Swords
on drums and keyboards. The group's self-titled debut confirms the
Robinson'
s instincts were right on the money --their fine vocals and guitar work are the heart and soul of this music, but their similarly talented accompanists have allowed them to add more space and color to their music and still keep this fusion of country twang, pop melodies, and rock & roll attitude sounding fresh and spontaneous.
Anita'
s fierce electric leads,
's rock-solid acoustic work, and
Funk'
s steel are a winning combination, generating a high lonesome vibe that firmly underscores the country leanings of the songs, while
Lorinczi
Railton
put a healthy swing into the rhythms, and even while this group is indulging in their rootsy influences, they generate enough sweat to keep the rockists in the audience interested. And between the rollicking
"Blue Sunshine,"
the weepy loneliness of
"Target Heart,"
the pure pop of
"Wesley,"
the gentle folk-rock of
"Lonely Girl,"
and the rock & roll pomp of
"The Game,"
this album leaves no doubt that the
Robinsons
know how to write fine songs and make them come alive with their new combo. While
has the freshness and enthusiasm of a debut album, it also boasts the artistry and intelligence of a band with years of experience, and this music brings forth the joy of the best of both worlds. ~ Mark Deming