On the rise progressive rock band Teddy Midnight blast into space on their debut, self-titled EP. Teddy Midnight EP is jampacked with five glorious tracks, laying down rich instrumental grooves at every turn. The songs are cosmic, soothing contemplative pieces that soar through carefully constructed sections, and will have you dancing. You can check out the album, via the band’s BandCamp page.
Teddy Midnight, a Brooklyn-based band that has played with the likes of MUN, Dopapod, and The Werks, easily prove themselves worthy of such great company. Their record, for the most part, contains soft, soulful grooves with intricate melodies and tightly-composed musical shifts. Just listening to their foot-tapping, head-nodding, late-night jazzy tunes will make you feel cool.
Each member of the band has the opportunity to shine on the album. The opening track, “Soap Opera,” is dominated by a thick organ progression from Michael Lavalle, which gives rise to a remarkable jazz guitar solo from Mike Finger. Inspired by the sound of guitarists like T-Bone Walker and Wes Montgomery, Finger’s clean guitar sound resonates quite profoundly.
Bassist Sean Silva gets his turn next, opening the second track “Coalition of the Illing” with a monster bass riff that anchors the song. It’s a powerful ballad with a darker, minor-key progression, that will occasionally delve into a tense bridge section before resolving into the opening. Of course, holding everything together is drummer/sampler Adam Magnan.
Together, the four musicians of Teddy Midnight drive their powerful, self-titled EP to life. That this is only their first recorded work together certainly bodes well for things to come. You can check them out tomorrow night at the Brooklyn Bowl, opening for Consider the Source.
-David Melamed (@DMelamz)