The Educated Guess
West Skyline Drive
(self-released)
Details
9 p.m. Friday, January 2. Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Avenue. $8. 314-773-3363.
Related Content
More About
On its latest full-length, the Educated Guess takes some of the grandiosity that made last year's Beautiful Strangers such a delight and infuses its music with equal parts classic pop and rootsy Americana. This time around, the band's use of Springsteenisms — the Telecaster twang, the twinkly grand piano, the "tramps like us" determination — fits nicely with singer and pianist Charlie Brumley's distinct but limited voice. Brumley has always been more of an arranger than a songwriter — his records feel like film scores or (gasp!) concept records — but on Drive he toes the line with ambitious but earthy instrumentation. "Native Son" comes across like a ramped-up Calexico song, and "Hero Complex" swirls with trumpet flourishes and urgent strings while fervent drums and beefy organ chords fill in the blanks. Occasionally the arrangements come off as a bit overwrought, a little more Jim Steinman than Phil Spector, but Brumley rarely loses control of the reigns.
Want your CD to be considered for a review in this space? Send music c/o The Riverfront Times, Attn: Homespun, 6358 Delmar Boulevard, Suite 200, St. Louis, Missouri, 63130. E-mail music@riverfronttimes.com for more information.
Now Trending
![Fine, I Guess It Is Time to Stop Taking Potshots at Jason Mraz [Update: RIP Zach Sobiech]](http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/common/assets/700621.75x75.jpg)
-
Voice Places
Find everything you're looking for in your city
-
Happy Hour App
Find the best happy hour deals in your city
-
Daily Deals
Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%
-
Best Of...
Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city
- Profile
- Newsletters
- Mobile
- Logout
