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MP3 Funks G - The Phoenix
12 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Punk-Pop, POP: Power Pop
Details:
Ottumwa Scene Album Spotlight:
the Phoenix 2008
Funks G
by Andy "Danger" Ruble
In a local musical landscape where bands break up, splinter off, and form faster than a music lover can keep track-Funks G, a punk rock trio from Des Moines, have been performing together for almost 10 years and have over 100 live shows under their belts along with five EP''s and a national tour scheduled for the Fall.
In the groups first full-length album "The Phoenix", released January 1st of 2008, all the years have paid off in a smart, fast paced, and overall uplifting album experience. Funks G''s sound can best be described as early Offspring meets current Rise Against with some of Social Distortions introspection and almost covert spirituality sprinkled within. Funks G is Will Schmitt on lead vocals and guitar, Trent Briney on vocals and bass, and Zach Allison on drums and backing vocals. The album features 12 songs recorded at Dubtown Records. Technically I couldn''t find any flaws with the albums production. It is studio-grade material. Two songs on the album are written and sung by Trent Briney and while it is somewhat obvious, it isn''t overly distracting.
My main complaint with punk records is that usually three or four tracks in it all sounds the same. This isn''t the case with "the Phoenix" at all. The songs are lined up in such a way that nothing seems like it''s being overdone or reworked. Some of the main themes covered in the album are social and personal awareness and the often-complicated bonds between people. Probably the most single-worthy track on the album is "Only You", which can best be described as a heartfelt thank you note to someone who''s helped you through a rough time. The song is very catchy and the opening drums and guitar is as good of a hook as I''ve ever heard. I would say that "Only You" would be your best bet if you were to listen to just one song by the band to get a feel for them in my opinion. the song "Weakling", track five on the album, grabs your attention from its opening almost-rockabilly sound and the first lyrics belted out by Will Schmitt "Yeehaw!". One main characteristic in the album is Schmitt''s voice. It stands alone in as much as you can''t place it in a certain "sounds like so-and-so category". His voice is best described as mostly higher pitched, but his range is wide because he reaches a low growl in the song "Start right now". While his voice does seem to be almost strained in a few instances, it doesn''t take away from the music and becomes less noticeable the more you listen. Trent Briney delivers his lyrics in "Shoulder to Shoulder" in a stream of consciousness manor that''s hard not to enjoy. In the albums opening track "Afterfall" a good sense of the bands tempo is established. "Afterfall" features an interlude that proves that you aren''t dealing with any musical slouches with a guitar solo featuring a lick sounding similar to Berlins "Metro", a really neat sounding kill switch trick, and some crisp bass work. The lyrical content of the song is almost a prelude to the previously mentioned "Start Right Now" which is an anthemic call to action. My personal favorite track on the album is "Forbidden Fruit", track eleven, which is slower paced than many of the other songs but its lyrics are so personal and powerful that even though it''s just another oft-clichéd song about two people in love, it is a true testament to Funks G''s outing on "the Phoenix" because it stands out as something written and performed by a band with real feeling, devotion, and heart.
While the albums music is best described as punk rock, and some of the content is socially themed, it isn''t too coated with the typical scathing indictments of all things wrong with the world. Instead, the album speaks to the better nature of the listener. A good example of this is the song "Walk with Love", track two, which is optimistic to say the least. With many of the songs on "the Phoenix", just the opening chords will cue you to start humming or singing along after a listen or two. If you don''t know all the words, they are placed conveniently in the albums liner notes. The album is a great get-up-and-go rock and roll record that I''ve almost worn out after only five months. Lyrically many of the things said in "the Phoenix" aren''t necessarily the coolest things for a "punk band", in it''s original meaning, to be saying, but Funks G aren''t in the least bit afraid to be saying them, and how punk rock is that?
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