2015 – Silver Street
Records
By Phillip Smith;
Jan 31, 2015
One might think this has to
be a Detroit or Memphis band upon first listen, but Josh Hoyer and the Shadowboxers actually are from Lincoln Nebraska. This is where the members of the band met and
began creating some of the coolest and funkiest sounds being made today. Living
by the Minute, Hoyer’s electric sophomore album, is one big bowl of
fun. With Hoyer holding down the B2 and lead vocals, the Shadowboxers consist of guitarist Benny Kushner,
drummer Justin G. Jones, and bassist Josh Bargar, along with Mike
Dee on saxophone and Tommy Van Den Berg on trombone.
Hoyer suavely
attacks the soulful "Blood and Bone" much like James
Brown would’ve back at the Apollo, tossing out little growls like vocal grenades.
A funky bassline from Barger
leads Hoyer and company through the Isaac Hayes influenced “Misfit
Children”. This is definitely one of my
favorites. Pure energy seems to emit
from the pulsating, dance-friendly “Real Time”.
I could very well see Sharon Jones covering this one. Backing vocalists Hanna Bendler, Kim
Moser, and Megan Spain are a lovely addition to the stand-out track,
“A Man Who Believes His Own Lies”. This song is the pocket Aces on the album.
Living
by the Minute is pure satisfaction. It doesn't get much better
than this.
For more information on Josh Hoyer and the
Shadowboxers, visit their website at http://joshhoyerandtheshadowboxers.com/
