Simplicity proves there is life after the Dead
Thursday, September 16, 2004
What: Simplicity When: 10 p.m. Saturday Where: Mahogany Ridge Brewery and Grill, Fifth Street and Lincoln Avenue Call: 879-3773
Simplicity's first album sounded like what it probably was: a band of young guys steered by their interest in the Grateful Dead -- complete with soft vocals styled after Jerry Garcia, backed by the Dead's brand of bluegrass-influenced finger picking.
But something happened between then and now.
The band is touring with a new album, "Life After Life."
The title track, written by lead guitar player and vocalist Brian Sheehan, begins with the almost classical sound of Francis Jaramillo's keyboard. The song is less wandering and more orchestrated than the earlier writing as Jaramillo builds the song to a crescendo with full-handed chords.
Influenced by bands including The Beatles, the band is gravitating to a new sound.
"It's still rock 'n' roll, but it has a more broad-based harmony," Sheehan said.
Simplicity, which will be playing in Steamboat for the first time Saturday, hails from Detroit. Its members have been together for four years, touring heavily for 1 1/2 years in the Northeast and Midwest.
They arrive in Steamboat just as "Life After Life" is released.
"As far as albums go, we're really totally proud of the product this time," Sheehan said. "We did exactly what we wanted to do with it."
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