With drunken bar band boogie, The Smokeboss Militia sound great on “Ain’t It Just Like You,” the album opener on Rise Again. Sure, there is a slow lapse in theory, pacing, and on point style, but isn’t that what what The Grateful Dead so iconic?
Andy Mensing has a growling snarled voice that suits this genre of americana perfectly. Hell, half the time he is singing I barely even have a hint as to what he is saying, but that doesn’t matter. The band and their music do the storytelling here, and the latter certainly is capable of making your head nod and feet tap. Take a listen to their music below and let us know what you think in the comments.
“It’s hard to sum up. It’s a collection of songs I wrote over many years. So it covers a lot of ground and goes in a lot of different directions. It’s a really fun blend of many artists, genres and styles that hopefully takes the listener (on) an amazing ride. I think I can safely say there’s something for everyone here, or at least that is the intention” – Mensing
From their art and name, I really did not expect much here. I have to be honest… however, much like staggering out for a night on the town with no urge but to wallow in socially anxious misery, I found myself feeling the opposite of bad nerves and enjoying the music a lot. The genre mixing Andy Mensing and his group accomplish here is interesting stuff, and the fact they sell their own paprika-savvy hot sauce alongside their show sets? That is down right beautiful.
This Floridian menagerie of electric-acoustic flash are worth your time, not for mere songwriting ability, showmanship, or even their flavor of freshly-drench saucy rock n roll, but for their admirable approach to authenticity at a time where it seems every big artist is just ripping off someone else. I suggest first time listeners put on this little ditty and decide for themselves what to make of it.
