Posted on: October 3, 2007 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Dave Sasscer – Quiet Mind / 2007 Self / 10 Tracks / http://www.davesasscer.com /

Dave Sasscer is the lynchpin of the eponymous project that released “Quiet Mind” this year. Joining Sasscer are the Mojo Conga Jam, a group of talented musicians that have spent time in the supporting acts of the Indigo Girls, Shaun Mullins, Omar Hakim, and Hiram Bullock. The first track on “Quiet Mind” is “(When) She’s in Love With Me”, and shows Sasscer et al as individuals that appreciate nineties rock. Of course, the style of music that is present during “Love With Me” is something fresh and current, but one cannot deny the nineties influences – bands such as the Counting Crows and Chris Isaak – that give the overall sound further coloration.

The production of “Quiet Mind” is strong, strong enough that one could compare it to a major label singer or act and be unsure of who is still not signed. During the title track, a Warren Zevon-like set of vocals lay themselves over an emotionally intense and instrumentally functionalist framework, to create something compelling and musically impressive. The second set of vocals adds a fullness to this title track that was missing during “Love With Me”. This evolution of Sasscer et al’s output during “Quiet Mind” shows that the band has a hell of a future ahead of them. One need only listen to a track like “Almost Perfect Weekend” to understand this. This reggae/Island-sounding track simultaneously shows influences as diverse as Desmond Dekker, Jimmy Buffet, Tom Petty, and the Beach Boys as well as creating a unique sound for Sasscer and the rest of his band. “Dynamite” is a track that continues the same type of hopeful rock, with the emotive vocals of Sasscer providing the distinguishing features of the track.

The ten cuts on “Quiet Mind” are enough to keep individuals interested without stretching the album out too long. Sasscer et al play a feel-good brand of rock music that makes individuals wonder where they are going to go for the next track. One song may have a straight-forward rock sound, while another may go to the islands for its’ influence. As more individuals pick up on the allure that is Sasscer’s “Quiet Mind”, I have little doubt in my mind that the act will gain in popularity until that time when they make it onto rotation or some other modicum of success. Check this album out, and make sure to purchase the prior album of Sasscer’s for comparison.

Top Tracks: Love With Me, Comfort Zone

Rating: 6.8/10

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