The deft and delicate funkiness that is wrapped around a gentle sense of infectiousness that greet you as “Dove” opens the album is a welcome sound to encounter as you drop the needle, a signal that here is a band that understands the concept of groove, and that they are acutely aware that a smart use of poise and pace is always more effective than merely suckerpunching the listener with the hard and heavy.
And it isn’t as if Black Cat Habitat can’t play that card when they choose to, it’s just that more often than not, they have something more interesting to give us. Take “Control,” for example: the drums shift and shuffle, guitars growl in the background, and the bass drives things on, but for the most part, it is a lightness of six-string touches that defines the song. It’s understated but clever, too, especially when it accommodates effortless changes in pace, vibe, and time signature.
“Becoming (Make a Little Room)” typifies their ability to be both driven and delicate, a bluesy-folk acoustic rendition of “New July” shows that they are as great when in busking mode as they are firing on all cylinders, and “Welcome to the Habitat” rounds things with a short, sharp and shockingly great slice of seventies-infused, soulful psych-funk… a sound that I think should they capitalize on more.
Stepping Off the Crag is an album with mass appeal. It’s accessible enough to bother the charts and keep the mainstream pop picker happy. Heavy and driven enough to tick more than a few boxes for the rock-and-roll aficionado. It contains enough blues licks and soulful touches to keep the roots fraternity grooving along. In fact, I can’t think of anyone who won’t find something to like…make that love…in this collection’s sonic charms.
Website
Facebook
Bandcamp
Instagram
