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Rating: What a great discovery these Fitz & the Tantrums are, there's not much on the internet to learn more about this sextet. You can find some general information here and there. In 2008, Michael Fitzpatrick founded his whimsical band in Los Angeles. Assisted by the singer Noelle Scaggs, with James King on saxophone, Jeremy Ruzumma on keyboards, and with the rhythm section Joseph Karnes on bass and John Wicks on drums.
The singer is assisted in the compositional phase by producer Chris Seefried, who is also in charge of the few guitars, giving life to this first album "Pickin' Up the Pieces." You could easily define it as a great mix of soul, funky, and pop-rock, a lot of Motown and seventies glam, in short.
"Breaking the chains of love" opens the show with a warm bass line, "Dear Mr. President" relies on the piano, while "L.O.V." on the dialogue between keyboards and saxophone. Noteworthy is the title track with Noelle's fine solo performance and the first single "MoneyGrabber." "News 4 you" and "Don't Gotta Work It Out" sound darker in form as in content but with "Rich Girls," the party returns, which will conclude with the passionate "Winds of Changes" (also enhanced by Noelle's voluminous voice) and the particular "Tighter," co-written and reminiscent of Sir Elton John. However, all 10 songs are full of lively rhythms, captivating, original, and catchy melodic solutions.
Fitz and Noelle, he with a more soul and perhaps more academic voice, she with a unique R'n'B power, complete each other in the interpretation of the melancholic lyrics, speaking of broken loves and pieces to gather but certainly not watering down the masterful execution of the six Californians.
The careful arrangements make listening to this album very pleasant. With an average duration of three minutes per track, then, repeated listening is assured.
While waiting to listen to their new effort, dated 2013, I recommend listening to "Pickin' up The Pieces" to fans of some commercial music, yes, but also fueled by passion and talent.
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