At different points in its new album, Musica, Orlando's Junkie Rush sounds like the best ska-punk outfit you've ever heard.
At other points, the band — which celebrates the album release with a Saturday show at House of Blues — veers into jammy Dave Matthews territory. Or maybe a fleet-fingered Flamenco guitar interlude. In its most ambitious moments, the transitions are jammed together in the same song.
For a lesser band, that kind of scatter-brained approach might be a mess, but Junkie Rush turns its short-attention span into music that is restless in the best way. It's rare when a band can match its muscle with musicianship.
There's a chunky guitar at the foundation of "James Brown DNA," although the song does break out a bridge laden with the kind of frisky funk that reflects its title. With the feathery vocals atop, there's an element of pop in the mix, too. Whew!
Horns bolster the sassy rhythm track on "Grow," one of the band's more obvious funk offerings. No matter what the song, though, drummer "Ito" Colon is the secret weapon. Locked into a groove with bassist Matt Gallagher, he forms an air-tight rhythm section.
Musica was recorded and mixed by orlando veteran Brett Hestla and the production also is a star element. here. The arrangements are surprisingly warm, considering the army of instruments involved. There's an impressive contrast at work, too. It's most apparent in the transition between the gentle Flamenco interlude of "Ideas Robadas" into the slow build of "Close to the Sun." The latter is yet another percussion showcase.
At times, it's hard to put a label on the Junkie Rush sound. Maybe it's best to just call it good.
