Idiot Grins is a soul group from Oakland, California, and they have just released their new album Big Man. Their first album since 2011’s Quarry, Big Man is a throwback to the classic, streetwise R&B of the dirtiest, grittiest, and most soulful variety from the 60’s. It’s also more of a traditional take on the genre, and, unlike bands such as Orange Juice, it doesn’t deviate and try to modernize the formula that much. The instrumentals and grooves call to mind artists like Sam & Dave and Otis Redding, as well as, Stax, the original home of this brand of soul.
The horns are a big part of this album, emanating the brassy sound of Memphis soul across the entire album, but especially on the highly danceable “Stack This” and the slow burning “Poppy Piss.” There’s no possible way the vocals could ever possibly live up to giants like Redding, but they’re certainly serviceable enough and they do a fine job of helping carry some of the weight. The best songs here, however, are the fiery rave-ups like the aforementioned “Stack This,” and opening track “How To Get To (Baltimore).” The entire length of Big Man is a classy, burning slice of soul, and would have easily found a home in the record shops of the 60’s.
