Damn, the quality just keeps coming! At Bluesbunny, we like a bit of variety - and indeed quirkiness - to our music and there would appear to be plenty of it about. Nashville based duo Justin Tam and Jamie Bennett are known collectively as "Quote" and this album is part of a forthcoming musical project that will include a book and art. For our aural delectation, we got the album in for review.
Now these fine gentlemen have a fine way with words. That is evident from the first song "Kerosene". Evocative of simpler times, it catches our attention. Following on quickly is "The Caspian Parade". This one is like a melodic Tom Waits doing a show tune. No shortage of drama here. Obviously determined to hold our attention, "Quote" keep up the pressure and kicks the door down with "Until the Sun Rise". The piano gets pounded and the guitar strings get bent until the song climaxes in true rock style. In contrast, the title track, "The Pace of Our Feet" is reflective but in a dramatic way with a lyrical dexterity that suggests Noel Coward in a melancholy mood. Some tasteful banjo picking drives the very commercial "Standing on the Ocean" - just the kind of song that the Eagles probably wish they could write nowadays. "Italian Wine" really cranks up the emotion and moves us to "raise your glass to all the war bound sons". If you do not know the difference between a violin and a fiddle the listen to the closing track "Tired Eyes". Sadness and hope all in one song. That is the way to end an album.
Way back in the sixties' people went out on the road to find themselves. The songs on this album also suggest a spiritual journey as well and, once again, we note that independent musicians seem to put a lot more imagination and passion into their creations. As an aside, if the Bluesbunny were a theatrical impresario, then we would be developing (i.e. exploiting) this collection of songs into a musical. Unfortunately the review copy came without full credits but take it from us the musicianship is exemplary. In conclusion, this is a fine album on its own and we curious to see the rest of the package when it comes available and our advice to you, therefore, is to start saving up for it now. Call it melodramatic popular song if you like but this album will be a most worthwhile purchase.