Assembly Of Dust – Recollection
After their 2004 live debut The Honest Hour, this northeastern quintet takes their Hick Funk blend of rock, jazz, soul, folk and bluegrass into the studio. Expanding on co-founder Reid Genauers previous work with Strangefolk, Assembly Of Dust combines The Bands funky R&B roots, Steely Dans jazz-rock textures, and the Beatles pop melodicism. The group segues easily from bluegrass harmonies to Fender Rhodes funk on Whistle Clock, as if the Eagles morphed into the Crusaders. Genauer occasionally brings to mind 70s vocalist Michael Franks, but the gospel tinge of Walking On Water points to Paul Simon, and the vocal blend of 40 Reasons would have fit nicely on CSN&Ys Deja Vu. Songs of bootleggers, swindlers and job alienation are but a few of Genauer and keyboardist Nat Wilsons unusual topics.