Todd Sickafoose
Tiny Resistors
CryptoGramophone
By George W. Harris

Bassist/leader Todd Sickafoose has lead a bit of a double life: growing up in the West Coast, and now living in Brooklyn, he has always seemed able to mix the folksy/artist attitude of SFO/LA with the edgy experimentation of New York. This latest release of his successfully combines the best of the bohemian/indie with the freedom of the avante garde. The band, which ranges from between 8-10, includes violins, a four piece brass/reed section ( with bassoon) along with various guitars, drums, percussion and, of course, the ubiquitous “effects”. The sound of this band is full, yet also flexible, able to throw its collective weight around without clumsily falling over. Tunes like “Bye Bye Bees” include danceable rhythms augmented by punctuating horns, leading to panoramic climaxes and attractive variations within various parts of the song. The craftsy “Future Flora” includes admirable guitar work by Adam Levy and Mike Gamble that are packaged by Alan Ferber and Shane Endsley teaming together on trombone and trumpet to give a funky groove to the collective bargaining table. The title tune, as many of the others have a plethora of direction changes, but all done with charm and grace, and always with a whimsical attitude. Keeping it all together is Sickafoose’s balancing act of applying bass, vibes, bells, wurtlitzer and celeste (among other instruments) to give the mood a “let’s try this for awhile” lightheartedness that keeps the music alluring and coy