CD Review

‘Who do they sound like?’ That’s always seem to be the first question someone asks you when you’re trying to describe a new band to them. Some bands it’s hard to pinpoint while others wear their influences on their sleeve. The latter is the case with Marshmallow Pie the debut from Boston’s Spookie Daly Pride. Lead singer, Spookie Daly’s, unique voice – lies somewhere between gruff baritone and smoky growl and reminds you immediately of both Dr. John and Tom Waits. The band jumps around from genre to genre throughout the album keeping listeners often guessing what’s coming next. Their influences are numerous and noticeable. The album opens up strong with ‘Karma Thunderbolt’ and ‘Marshmallow Pie’ – both straight up Cajun-swamp funk. While ‘Happy Happy’ is G. Love style blue-rap and ‘Going To See The Governor’ makes you think immediately of Primus. ‘Holy Rubbertramps’ is a slow building Waits-style travelogue through California and the standout track along with the openers.

Spookie Daly Pride have unique instrumentation with swirling organs, thumping bass, plucking banjos and horns heard throughout the album. What seems to hurt the band most is the lack of their own voice. They rely more on others styles then developing one their own. Spookie Daly seems to be at their best when they avoid delving into rock and stick to the murkier and quirky styles that can really set them apart from the pack. They seem to be accomplished musicians, but the grab bag of styles is distracting overall.