Fresh out of New Jersey comes The Brian Saint John Quartet, a foursome folk-rock band with a sound that is strangely mellow and upbeat at the same time. The name makes these sharply dressed guys seem uber sophisticated and prestigious, like you'd hear an elementary school orchestra butcher covers of their songs on a monthly basis, but the music, although refined and tight with barely any frills, is anything but boring, with splashes of sax and other instruments you rarely hear in mainstream music nowadays. It's a little bit pop with catchy vocal harmonies and loveable lyrics, and it's a little bit rock with it's inherent energy, but it's not pop rock; it's got it's own funk...just like the water in Jersey where this up-and-coming quartet hails from.
Upon hearing the opening licks to "There Must Be More," I was reminded of a mellow party, sitting on a couch, stoned out of my mind...and content with my life. Brian's voice is akin to Bob Dylan's...if Bob Dylan didn't suck at singing.
Their influences include musicians, authors, poets, and girls who break hearts, all of which are audible in my personal favorite song, "Shame On Me." A bit slower than the rest, this song exudes a resigned confidence in a future love after a rough break up. The lyrics are depressing but at the same time oddly uplifting, since the overall idea of the song is being able to get over a bad break up. Kudos must also be given for the jazz sax complimenting the 1950's movie references ("A Streetcar Named Desire").
Checking these guys out is a must! Shame on us for not being able to make it to a show, but you should check them out on March 20 at The Box in Washington, New Jersey.
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