Music Review: The Dustbowl Revival, With A Lampshade On

By Melissa Bratcher

The Dustbowl Revival is the kind of band that isn’t easily classified. Are they bluegrass? Are they a brass band that uses mandolins? Are they a cabaret act? Whatever they are, it is easily brilliant.

By putting jazz, bluegrass, traditional brass bands, and perhaps a bit of gospel in a blender, then garnishing with two astonishing vocalists, The Dustbowl Revival have created this melange that is a love note to American music. It’s not Americana. It’s… all kinds of things.

On With A Lampshade On, The Dustbowl Revival strove to capture the energy of their live shows, and it certainly is a lively album. With A Lampshade On is terrific, featuring an enthusiastic crowd, a band that plays with verve and passion, and a setlist that builds in intensity all the way through the end. It’s exciting and incredibly fun.

The musicians in The Dustbowl Revival are excellent. The twin horn attack of Matt Rubin on trumpet and trombonist Ulf Bjorlin is utilized on the funky “Hey Baby,” a New Orleans brass band, call and response number. Dual vocals from Zach Lupetin and Liz Beebe are wonderful; his soulful grit marries her clear richness perfectly. The low slung brass on the loose delight of “Ain’t My Fault” is a treat, with Bjorlin turning in a smart solo along with a spine-tingling drum solo from Joshlyn Heffernan.

Liz Beebe’s vocals on “Feels Good” are glorious. The song strolls and swings at the same time, as it rolls and lopes gracefully with sass. She’s got an incredible voice, soulful and versatile, and it’s showcased on “Doubling Down On You.” A witty, jazzy cabaret song, it’s an ideal vehicle for her impressive range.

The Dustbowl Revival are not entirely dissimilar to The Squirrel Nut Zippers. They share the appreciation of all kinds of genres, which they dip in and out of with ease, and there’s often a thread of humor shot through their songs. “Ballad Of The Bellhop” is a nimble and whimsical tale of the Royals (Will and Kate, you see) and a bellhop in a love triangle. Lupetin’s vocals are agile and deft. The darkly humorous “Bright Lights” is also Zippers-ish, a tango with fine harmony and a gorgeous silvery trumpet solo.

The Dustbowl Revival is equally as adept at bluegrass as they are at NOLA-style brass. “Cherokee Shuffle” is a showstopper with an exuberant mandolin from Daniel Mark. “Lampshade On” is a zippy, funny, foot-stomping bluegrass rave up with horns! (Why don’t more bluegrass bands use horns? Every band should use horns).

The final trio of songs on With A Lampshade On build to a thrilling end. “Drop In The Bucket” sets a blistering, swinging pace with great vocal performances. “Wrapped Up In My Head” delights with Lupetin’s bluesy yelp and some nice harmonies before the fiery “Whiskey In The Well,” which gives each of the members a moment to let rip. It’s an excellent way to end an album.

With A Lampshade On is pure joy from beginning to end. It’s a delightful, exciting album that captures The Dustbowl Revival in all their unbridled, giddy glory.

With A Lampshade On was released by Signature Sounds Recordings on July 24.

Tour Dates:
July 23 – Harrisburg, PA @ The Millworks
July 24 – Floyd, VA @ Floydfest
July 25 – Floyd, VA @ Floydfest
August 01 – Los Osos, CA @ Red Barn Concert Series
August 02 – Los Angeles, CA @ Skirball Cultural Center (Outdoor Day Show)
August 06 – Reno, NV @ Sands Regency Concert Series
August 07 – Grass Valley, CA @ The Center for the Arts
August 12 – Long Beach, CA @ The Aquarium of the Pacific
August 13 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Edison
August 19 – Woody Creek, CO @ Woody Creek Community Center
August 20 – Paonia, CO @ Pickin’ In The Park Concerts
August 21 – Crested Butte, CO @ Center For The Arts
August 27 – Berkeley, CA @ Redwood Grove Concerts at UC Berkeley
August 28 – Cloverdale, CA @ Cloverdale Arts Alliance (Fri Night Live)
September 03 – New Haven, CT @ Café Nine
September 04 – Charlestown, RI @ Rhythm And Roots Fest
September 05 – Charlestown, RI @ Rhythm And Roots Fest
September 12 – Elizabethtown, NY @ Otis Mountain Get Down
September 17 – Nashville, TN @ City Winery Americana Music Fest
September 19 – Bristol, TN @ Bristol Rhythm & Roots Renion
October 03 – Los Angeles, CA @ Bluegrass Situation Fest at The Greek Theatre
October 24 – Placerville, CA @ Hangtown Halloween Ball