If there is one thing that Minneapolis, Minnesota has in spades, it’s a rich history of rock music. On one side you’ve got a line that can be drawn from The Replacements to Soul Asylum to Lifter Puller and The Hold Steady and on the other side from the likes of Dillinger Four to groups like Off With Their Heads and Banner Pilot. Then there are bands like The Evening Rig that, featuring former members of The Crush, Cadillac Blindside (a band the wifey and I liked a whole lot), and The Cardinal Sin but sounding every bit the roots-rock bar band, blur those lines into one cohesive whole. On Is Doin’ Stuff, their sophomore album, The Evening Rig has made one helluva a great record that’s instantly familiar without sounding the least bit tired. There are the easy comparisons to those MPLS rockers that came before them, but that would be selling The Evening Rig way short. The guitars are twangy but not overly so and the vocals are raspy without being rough. It makes you wanna get up off your barstool and dance, but only until you realize that you’re drunk and you can’t dance. The songs are memorable and just make me think of good times, good friends, and good drinks. Really, Is Doin’ Stuff sounds honest, true, and totally effortless; as if every note just came naturally to the band. That’s why I love this record and find it damn near impossible to write about it. Don’t believe me? Have a listen to the songs below.
MP3:
The Evening Rig - The Hilltop Pines
The Evening Rig - The Steve McQueens
Great review. I LOVE this record!