The Revivalists: Funky Rock and Soul

At a time when independent music is enjoying a great deal of exposure, new types of bands are arising from music cities across the country. In New Orleans, one such act is creating their own soulful, funky brand of rock to great acclaim. The Revivalists are a rock group consisting of David Shaw on vocals, Zack Feinberg on guitar, Ed Williams on pedal steel, Rob Ingraham on saxophone, George Gekas on bass, Andrew Campanelli on drums and Michael Girardot on keyboards and trumpet. With their large setup, the band has a very large and dynamic sound with many great subtleties.

The group incorporates elements of funk, country, blues and rock in a way that is contemporary and unique while maintaining a bit of a vintage feel. The combination of David Shaw’s raw and soulful vocals, Zack Feinberg’s funky and ethereal guitar performances, the tight rhythm section, the steel guitar, and the brass section makes for a sound that is uniquely New Orleans but very relatable and rock oriented.

On their latest album, “Men Amongst Mountains,” released in 2016, the revivalists offer a feel of the festive music scene of New Orleans while addressing issues of addiction, bad relationships and depression. While the Revivalists have made other records in the past, this is considered to be their breakout release, enjoying some radio and television play.

The album begins with the upbeat and uplifting “Keep Going,” highlighted by brilliant horn playing. The track tells a story of overcoming adversity and continuing through hard times. The second track, “Wish I Knew You,” combines a funky off-beat guitar rhythm with a deeply atmospheric organ part. This and other songs on the record have a certain dance feel, owing largely to the club and general music culture of New Orleans.

While deeply funky, many of the tracks are also very brooding and ethereal such as the fourth track “It Was a Sin.” One of the tracks from the album receiving airplay and other exposure, “It Was a Sin,” starts with a deeply ethereal and reverb laden guitar riff and builds in the chorus with a driving drum fill.

The music is deeply eclectic, with its obvious roots in New Orleans soul, funk and jazz, accentuated by the rhythms, guitar, keyboards and brass. The pedal steel guitar lends an air of country with its sweet and soulful melodies. Perhaps the best example of all these elements is the tune “Fade Away” which features a catchy and soulful steel guitar riff throughout and driving horns on the chorus.

Another of the more ethereal and thoughtful songs is “Monster.” The track tells a story of a strained relationship where the protagonist urges the other to leave, literally saying they “could have anyone else,” and “I’m a monster.” Shaw’s soulful and gritty voice on the track builds the emotion and energy created by Zack Feinberg’s spacey and ethereal guitar playing. Playing mostly a Fender Telecaster and a Guild Starfire, Feinberg’s tone is bright and chimey with a bit of funky heft.

“Bulletproof” combines a fast tempo and upbeat Rhodes keyboard riff with lyrics about drug-fueled panic and attempts to overcome it. The song is the fastest tune on the record and has an interesting feel that is both classic and modern. As the tune builds, one is hit with a barrage of rapid, Dave Grohl like drumming at each chorus.

The album contains a variety of different songs that capture a variety of different emotions and sounds. One track that stands out as profoundly different on the record is the title track. While contemplative and moody like other tracks on the record, this track is best marked by its driving and dramatic piano accentuated by a brooding cello. This track is also very different from others due to its spare arrangement that is full of space and dramatic tension.

Another track that stands out is the track “King of What.” Much like “Men Amongst Mountains,” “King of What” has a more intimate arrangement than most of the tracks on the album. The tune features a fast and driving arpeggiated guitar rhythm with a deeply atmospheric sound and dynamic vocal harmonies.

From high energy funky party songs to ethereal love songs and contemplative acoustic pieces, the Revivalists’ “Men Amongst Mountains” offers a greatly varied and eclectic brand of contemporary rock.