The Insect Trust

Back in the '60s, most white fans trying to play the music took the approach of struggling to sound as serious and authentic as possible, and a big part of the charm of 's debut album is that, by accident or design, they went in an entirely different direction. While were clearly and affectionately influenced by classic and , they were also eager to mess around with it, and 's horns and woodwinds often throw this music into a loopy, atonal, and acid-infused direction while the loose, slightly rickety sound of 's guitars and banjos honors the styles found on vintage 78s just as their rock-oriented chops keep the results from sounding as if they spent much time actually learning the original riffs. Given the loose but insistent backporch funk of this music -- perhaps held in place by guest musicians , , and -- the sweet tone of ' vocals seems a bit out of place, but she never seems less than committed, and she gives a full-bodied reading that fits their meaning, if they don't sound especially "bluesy." And the final two cuts, take off into a never-never land of pastoral whimsy that exists in a world all its own. refined their worldview on their second, last, and finest album, 1970's , but their debut has more than its fair share of lovely moments and is an engaging example of fans letting their freak flag fly with righteous joy. ~ Mark Deming