Rob's Album of The Week: Rustic Overtones' Let's Start A Cult

Portland, Maine's own Rustic Overtones have gained quite the cult following since forming in the early 90s originally as a three piece cover band. Since that humble beginning, they've evolved into an eruptive septet that fuses the styles of jazz, funk, reggae, punk and countless others to create an epic unique sound that's difficult to just put into one genre. Rustic's seventh record, Let's Start A Cult, is a great progression of the music that we've all come to know and love but it also has a tinge of doo-wop to it that furthers the group's uniqueness and originality.

Led by the bluesy, Marley-esque voice of Dave Gutter and his funky guitar, Rustic Overtones also consist of Jon Roods on bass, Dave Noyes on trombone, Jason Ward & Ryan Zoidis on sax, Mike Taylor on keys & guitar followed up with Gary Gemetti on the drums. Back in 2007 following the release of their fifth record, Light At The End, Rustic Overtones became the record holder of the fastest-selling album ever in the state of Maine. Who knows, with the way their new album sounds they might chase the record for the fastest-selling album ever in The United States.



- Robert Duguay

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"Lets Start A Cult Pt. 1" and "Let's Start A Cult Pt. 2" promotes the idea of unity through common positive ideas, which is a fantastic idea to get across as well as a spectacular song. "Solid" has the dual saxophones of Ward and Zoidis providing the backbone of the track with the rest of the band joining in to make you want to pogo up and down from start to finish. "I Like It Low" is a mellow track about liking the not-so-finer things in life and dealing with being without instead of being with. "Victory" is a very jazzy and laid-back song that's easy to just lay back and relax to, with the lyrics from Gutter being about how the winner isn't always the champion from everyone's eyes. "Going Out With A Bang" is a pure punky track that is guaranteed to make you kick your feet up in the air and go crazy right after you press play, all about not going out without a fight. These are a few of the tracks I like off of Let's Start A Cult, but don't just take my word for it. Get yourself a copy of the album and listen for yourself.

Rustic Overtones just played The Spot Underground on 15 Elbow St. in Providence this past Friday, but don't fret, they have plenty of shows going on in the New England area. Their next show will be at Union Fair in Union, Maine on August 23rd and then they'll be playing all over the Maine, New Hampshire and New York areas until the end of November. Until they hit up your neck of the woods, check out the new album from Rustic Overtones, Let's Start A Cult. It's bound to put you in the groove and make you move.